Luluwa Ancestor Statue

The Luluwa people are also known as the Bena Lulua and the Bena Moyo. The name of this tribe is from the Luluwa River on which they live, in Zaire. Their art is represented in collections primarily by figurative sculptures decorated with elaborate scarifications, elongated angular masks and by unique wooden crouching figures topped by animal horn. Such an object is offered here. The figure is styled in a crouching or squatting position with large raised hands resting on the head. It is thought that this position corresponds to the Luluwa burial form and the statues represent ancestors. Age and exposure to the elements has weathered our selection dramatically in the torso area. This deterioration lends to the authenticity of the statue, has strengthened its character and has unexpectedly enhanced the beauty of the form.

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