Ngbaka Figure Congo

This figure comes from the culturally dynamic northwestern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo along the river systems feeding the great Congo River, especially from the Ngbaka or Ngbandi.

The Ngbaka moved into the area inhabited by the Ngbandi in an area bounded by the Ubangi and Lualaba River systems and as a result, both groups share sculpture forms and the details of scarification that often leads to some confusion as to the attribution of their sculpture.

Ngbaka uses anthropomorphic figures, generally in pairs, to represent mythological and distant family founders known as Seto a male, and Nabo his wife that are kept on family shrines. Ngbaka figures take their red color from being washed in palm oil and red tukula powder made from tree bark.

The Ngbaka people demonstrate remarkable skill and sculptural inventiveness in shaping the details of the body in their sculptures. The craftsmanship and attention to detail in Ngbaka art reflect the cultural significance and artistic traditions that have been passed down through generations.