The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Figure (iginga)

Figure (iginga)

c. 1930s
ivory
Overall: 17.8 cm (7 in.)
Gift of Katherine C. White 1977.192
Location: not on view

Description

The Bwami Society of the Lega people use a large repertoire of wood and ivory figurines as part of its complex and rigorous initiation system. The ultimate goal, achieved through a series of tests, is the attainment of harmonious human relations through virtuous living, wisdom, and busoga---"goodness-beauty," Art is essential to this goal, for initiates must master an extensive body of knowledge as they study, exchange, display, and interpret their meanings, which vary according to the grade level of the initiates. The highest level in the Bwami Society, the Kindi rank, uses such figurines extensively. This bi-sexual figure may refer to the indissoluble bond between the Kindi member and his initiated wife (Kawanya).
  • J. J. Klejman, New York
    J. J. Klejman, New York
  • CMA 1968: "African Tribal Images: The Katherine White Reswick Collection," cat. no. 273, repr.
  • {{cite web|title=Figure (iginga)|url=false|author=|year=c. 1930s|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1977.192