Synopses & Reviews
Featuring stunning color illustrations, this book presents the rich artistic statuary tradition of the Songye people, a tribal group based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Synopsis
A tribal people located in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
the Songye are best known for their distinctive statuaries and
masks, which for centuries have been used to protect villages,
ward off enemies, and bring fertility and wealth. Approximately
one thousand of these pieces are shown in this vibrant collection.
The Songye often named their statues and decorated them
with horns, skins, beads, tacks, shells, and bits of cloth. As a
result, each item displays a singular, impressive identity.
Considered to be imbued with magical energy and used only
by village shamans, these statues have enormous cultural and
historical significance, and they are also powerful works of art
in their own right.