Pare Miniature Mummy Wood Figure 12 Inch Tanzania

This Pare Miniature Mummy figure contains glass eyes and is wrapped in a cloth.

The Pare people in Tanzania, residing in the northeastern region, have a rich tradition of traditional art, including sculptures and masks associated with religious practices. The Pare Mummy figure, a unique sculpture, was commissioned to enforce good behavior and protect against theft. Adorned with cloth binding spiritually powerful materials, it draws parallels with nkisi figures among the Kongo people, ritual objects empowered for healing, protection, and justice. The similarities suggest shared cultural and spiritual beliefs among these African societies. Though Tanzanian tribal art, like the Pare Mummy figure, is less researched, it holds cultural significance and artistic expression, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of African art.