Sujet
Male Figure (Ofika), late 1800s or early 1900s. Creator: Unknown.
Légende
Male Figure (Ofika), late 1800s or early 1900s. Figures such as this, known as ofika, were central to the initiation practices and the enforcement of laws among the all-male Lilwa association, a hierarchical organization that served educational, judicial, political, economic, and ritual functions among the Mbole. Meant to instill a moral code and to act as a cautionary symbol during initiation for Lilwa novices, ofika figures are believed to represent criminals who were ritually hanged for transgressions against Lilwa laws. The figure?s encrusted surface imitates how members covered their bodies with a substance made of ashes and palm oil during burial rites.
Crédit
Photo12/Heritage Images/Heritage Art
Notre référence
HRM19F92_391
Model release
NA
Property release
NA
Licence
Droits gérés
Format disponible
126,4Mo (8,7Mo) / 46,8cm x 67,7cm / 5522 x 8000 (300dpi)