Parade Axe
Ngbaka, D.R. Congo
Wood, iron
Late 19th / early 20th century

The 400,000 Ngbaka inhabit the northwestern corner of the D.R. Congo. The highest position of honor in each family is held by the eldest female. Politically, they have no supreme chief or council, and power is divided amongst clans. They farm manioc, maize, sorghum, and bananas. Blacksmiths are very important in Ngbaka society. 

The Ngbaka believe in a supreme being Gale or Gbogboso, and his messengers Seto and Nabo, who are their primordial ancestors. Figures of Seto and Nabo are placed on an altar each morning and guard against misfortune. Essential parts of Ngbaka life include the ancestor cult Toro and divination by clairvoyance. 

Axes of this type are exceedingly rare, and might be related to the Toro ancestor cult, circumsicion rites (borrowed from the Manja/Mbanja), or the Wi-Limi secret withcraft society (Felix, 100 Peoples of Zaire and Their Sculpture: The Handbook, 1987). 

16.5 in :: 42 cm

InventoryID #13-1850

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