3612 x 5433 px | 30,6 x 46 cm | 12 x 18,1 inches | 300dpi
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The Mahongwe constitute the northern branch of the Kota peoples. They live in the extreme northeast of Gabon near the Republic of the Congo border. The Mahongwe practice an ancestor cult (bwiti or bwete) that was at the center of a system of beliefs and rites and ancestor worship formed the core of the family group’s religious and social life. Fearful of the deceased the Mahongwe showed particular devotion to relics of important ancestors of the lineage, guarantors for the protection and survival of the group. Every Mahongwe clan has a reliquary kept in the back of the chief’s hut. These relics were expected to protect and benefit the families that owned them. At the time of initiation in the reliquary cult, the clans would meet to perform communal rituals; each clan’s chief would dance holding the reliquary. Some reliquaries featured a large figure representing the lineage founder along with some smaller figures representing his successors. Mahongwe reliquary figures consist of three distinct sections: the oval, concave face with projecting topknot, the cylindrical neck, and an openwork base. The mouth is missing. The heads of these remarkable abstractions are large and do not have upper or sidepieces. The base is of lozenge form. Mahongwe masks are rare. ethnography ethnographic ethnographer ethnology statuary statue statues sculpture sculptures painting paint folklore art artwork art artistic artistry arts artwork create collector gatherer compilercreative creativity culture figure aditional fortune, telling future occult religion fantasy imagination iIllusion composition category broad concepts ideas format theme setting concepts concept beautifull spirit free coloured colored colors colours ethnic icon collectable curse spell occult psychic character ritual ethnicity crafts carving collectable crafts sentimental sentiments craftsmanship ethnic icon object still life tribal book magic, mystery authentic, ethnicity museum gallery galery collection collect display
