DR Congo Dolls Pende People Minganji Dancers

These dolls represent the Minganji. Minganji are spirits of ancestors (Mvumbi) who come to dance at important events held by the Pende people. The dance costumes are entirely made of raffia with masks made of wood. The doll second to the right wears a big round Gitenga mask. Gitenga is the kind grandfather or chief of the Minganji. This mask depicts the sun, symbol of life. The other Minganji masks represent the opposite; darkness and death. The Pende believe that the ancestor spirits can do good or bad within the community so they honor them in various rituals to keep them happy.

Folklore is in the air… uhm… ear!

Details

Object African tribal figures
Origin DR Congo
Culture Pende people
Medium Raffia, wood
Mark or Tag None
Made by Unknown
Size H 29, 21, 27 & 27 cm
Dated Not dated
Acquired Online 2013

Postcard

No postcard available. There should be a nice postcard here that matches this doll, to show you how the people living in DR Congo are dressed in their traditional costume.

There is nothing suitable in our postcard books at the moment, too bad!

Happy collecting,