Fetish of the Songye people. Democratic Republic of the Congo, late 19th century

Songye fetish. Democratic Republic of the Congo, late 19th century.
Carved wood, fabric, and antelope horn.
Measurements: 67 x 15 cm.

A Songye fetish carved from wood, topped with an antelope horn and adorned with orange-colored fabric. It depicts a female figure on whose abdomen appears the head of a second figure, who is shown seated with her hands on her knees.

The Songye, who live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are organized around a chief assisted by numerous secret societies. In their social and religious rites, the Songye use a wide variety of fetishes and amulets, called “Boanga,” which ensure their success, fertility, and wealth, and protect them from the hostile forces of nature. The creator of these fetishes made them from magical ingredients that he mixed together, forming a paste that he stored in an antelope horn hanging from the ceiling of his house. In addition to amulets—which are not always human in form— the Songye have large figures associated with full-moon rituals, characterized by their solemn demeanor, with hands resting on a pointed belly, an elongated face with a rounded forehead, large almond-shaped eyes, heavy eyelids, a bean-shaped nose, an occasionally ringed neck, and square shoulders. These figures are depicted wearing a horn or feathers, symbols alluding to their magical nature.