Cache-Fesse, Negbe, with Belt
Mangbetu, D.R. Congo
Vegetable Fiber, Banana Leaf
Early 20th century

Mangbetu women wore aprons of barkcloth in front and a negbe such as this to cover their buttocks. Egbe (pl.) were made from banana leaves, sewn into shape, and decorated with appliuqéd patterns of blackened banana leaves, usually geometric but sometimes figurative. At the time of Lang and Chapin's visit in 1910 (during the American Museum Congo Expedition), when women no longer always wore traditional dress, only two women living in one village still knew how to make egbe. Yet women still enjoyed wearing them, and always did so on special occasions (Schildkrout & Keim, African Reflections: Art from Northeastern Zaire, 1990).

The undated photograph by Kazimir Zagourski showing two women wearing ebge was taken after 1924 and is © Pierre Loos. 

Ex. Andres Moraga (2007).

15 in :: 38 cm

InventoryID #13-1255

Not For Sale