The objects of the mukanda initiation
Theme:
religious life, rites and beliefs, hut, architecture and construction, art and crafts
Photographer:
François Léopold Michel (°1855 - †1932)
Place of production:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Culture:
Nkanu
Legend:
The Nkanu distinguished themselves as the "peoples of the mukanda " by a rather special artistic creation. This was a sort of hut, the kikaku, with three lavishly painted and sculpted side panels where sculptures were also kept. The inside of the kikaku would only be revealed at the end of the confinement in the kimpasi (the camp of the circumcised males). The initiates who were shown statuettes and panels would only understand their explicit or symbolic meaning after information that they would be given in the kimpasi enabled them to do so.
Original legend:
Hutte de féticheurs. Environ de Tumba.
[Note plus tardive:] Est en réalité un abri utilisé lors de l'initiation et de la circoncision.
Inventory number:
AP.0.0.21753