-40%
African tribal art, very nice old mangwbetu chair
$ 290.39
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
TitleAfrican tribal art, very nice old mangwbetu chair
Types of object
chair
County of origin
Democratic Republic of Congo
People
Mangwbetu
Materials
Wood
Approximate size
92 cm-- 36 inches high by 34cm-13.5 inches wide
weight:6 kg
MANGBETU
TYPES OF ART
Most Mangbetu art was reserved for ruling class and was secular in nature. Wooden figures are believed to be ancestral portraits. Harps and trumpets that were used by court musicians were often adorned with sculpted human heads. Decorated thrones and knives were also part of the royal regalia.
HISTORY
Linguistic patterns indicate that the Mangbetu originated from the northeast, probably from modern day Sudan. As they moved southward they encountered Bantu migrations moving northward. They finally settled in their current homeland in the 19th century. This area had been occupied by the Mbuti. The Mangbetu intermarried with and subsumed many of the Bantu and pygmy populations they encountered. In the 19th century the Mangbetu Kingdom was established under Nabiembale and became the dominant political force in the region until 1880, when Sudanic and Islamic slavers entered the region, fragmenting the kingdom into sultanates controlled by Moslem leaders. When the Belgians arrived they expelled the slavers.
ECONOMY
The people living in the Mangbetu region subsist mostly on hoe farming, fishing, and some hunting. Yams and plantains are the primary crops, and some cattle farming is done. Unlike other Sudanic peoples, however, among the Mangbetu only the men are permitted to do the milking. Livestock is seen as a symbol of wealth and is often exchanged for bride prices. When the king reigned, he monopolized the copper and ivory trade.
POLITICAL SYSTEMS
The name Mangbetu refers strictly to the ruling aristocracy, which ruled the region during the 19th century. The paramount leader inherited his position and controlled many subkingdoms throughout the region. Often he appointed his relatives or subjugated leaders to act as his spokesmen in these villages. Most of the people who live in the area do not originate from Mangbetu lineages, but have been subjugated by them. Individual villages are stratified in accordance with the relationships of the people to the founding Mangbetu lineages.
RELIGION
The Mangbetu creator god is known as Kilima or Noro. Ara is a god associated with water and was known to take the form of an animal that was to be feared. They also believed that human souls could be reborn as animals. The Mangbetu royalty demanded that their ancestors be venerated. Likundu (bad spirits) demanded offerings by punishing those who ignored them with sickness and misfortune. These spirits could be directed at an individual by witches. The job of the diviner among the Mangbetu often involved uncovering and correcting the work of witches.
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Please note I will give discount on combined shipping if purchasing multiple items you pay the full cost of the highest postage item and each additional item I reduce as follows:items
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Please note I do combined shipping as follows:
15 USD I reduce to 10 USD
20 USD I reduced to 14 USD
25 USD I reduce to 16 USD
30 USD I reduce to 20 USD
35 USD I reduce to 25 USD
40 USD I reduce to 29 USD
45 USD I reduced to 30 USD
50 USD I reduce to 34 USD
55 USD I reduce to 37 USD
60 USD I reduce to 41 USD
65 USD I reduce to 43 USD
70 USD I reduce to 46 USD
75 USD I reduce to 49 USD
80 USD I reduce to 55 USD
I also look the combine weight and reduce further where possible
PLEASE NOTE –
In addition to offering combined shipping. Please contact me if shipping to Europe as I can adjust the shipping to a lower cost