Lega Standing Male Figure on Custom Base Congo

A Lega man stands tall exhibiting all the known motifs of the Lega form. His short arms are straight at his sides and he has exaggerated large feet. 

The Lega people live near the northern end of Lake Tanganyika on the banks of the Lualaba River and are also known as the Warega. Living in small village groups they have no centralized authority but govern themselves through a communal association known as "Bwami." This association is composed of male and female members who strive to achieve advancement in the various ranks of Bwami. For the Lega, the ultimate goal is to reach the uppermost level of "Bwami" when one becomes a "Kindi," one who exercises moral influence within society. The complex system of instruction, initiation, and advancement in Bwami uses masks and figures to document the various levels of Bwami and to serve as badges validating the initiate's knowledge of the secrets of Bwami and their rank. Initiates earn the privilege to wear and display masks that might be worn on their arms or faces or simply exposed on racks or the ground.

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