{"product_id":"tabwa-male-figure-congo-156391","title":"Tabwa Male Figure Congo","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTabwa art is a form of traditional African art that is native to the Tabwa people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania. The Tabwa people are known for their intricate and finely detailed wooden carvings, masks, and sculptures, which are often characterized by their abstract and geometric designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTabwa art has been created for centuries, and its origins can be traced back to the 17th century when the Tabwa people first began to settle in the southeastern region of the Congo. The art was traditionally created by skilled craftsmen who were trained in the techniques of carving and sculpture, and who passed their knowledge down through the generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTabwa figural sculptures represent ancestors who were to assist in daily activities and during the hunt. Tabwa art is both a symbol and an esthetic statement as the figures are often elaborately scarified in a fashion known among them until the middle of the twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe distinctive facial scarification consisting of a number of lines along the sides of the face and along the forehead and abdomen were the means whereby Tabwa identified themselves to localities and social status. They are also a high form of body art or ornamentation. Elaborate and attractive patterns and designs were worked into the skin according to the Tabwa concept of kulemba reflect aesthetics, social membership and the abstract idea of order upon the chaos of nature. It demonstrates that a person becomes a complete adult when they are properly inscribed with the appropriate scars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThese patterns and designs are collectively known as vindala and will represent one's advancement through life and within Tabwa society. Distinctive hairstyles among Tabwa men reflect status or membership in a hunter's cult known as buyange, which required great efforts to braid, tie and decorate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eToday, Tabwa art remains an important part of African cultural heritage and is highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts around the world. Its intricate designs and symbolic meanings continue to inspire and captivate audiences and serve as a testament to the rich and diverse cultural traditions of the Tabwa people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Polaris-Box\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorWrapper_1q6fc_73\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"PRODUCT.metafields.custom.height_in_-anchor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"button\" class=\"_ActivatorButton_1q6fc_77\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_RowWrapper_1q6fc_4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabel_1q6fc_30\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenitalia broken off. Large cracks in head, body and base.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHeight (In) 16.75\u003cbr\u003eWidth (In) 5.25\u003cbr\u003eDepth (In) 5.25\u003cbr\u003eOther Dimensions: Figure only (without base): 15.25 x 4.5 x 4.5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e156391\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"sku 156000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51749130862887,"sku":"156391","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_5367_8fbd96de-bed5-40d6-a9a3-c6c6bc0eb297.jpg?v=1785343942","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/tabwa-male-figure-congo-156391","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}