LUBA, CONGO
WOOD, HEIGHT 25CM
The act of circumcision is the most important physical aspect of the initiation period, however it is very rarely portrayed. This and the birth sculpture were collected by Nji Idriss Mbombo in 1957 during one of his trips where he taught many Congolese how to bake bread and set up bakeries. In return much of his remuneration received was in traditional art and sculpture, as not enough money was available to pay for his services.