Such sculptures, carved in lightweight, light-coloured wood and coloured dark brown, with a typical Lega face and a swollen, rounded abdomen, are called ‘Wayinda figures’.
‘Wayinda’ represents a pregnant woman, who has committed adultery, thereby bringing great shame on her family. A male figure belongs to her, too, called ‘Kakulu ka Mpito’, her deceived husband. This male figure has no arms, a sad expression on his face and a hairstyle of unkempt goat hair. Both figures of this married couple, female and male, amongst the Lega people are kept by the members of the highest (6th) rank, called ‘Kindi’, of the ‘Bwami society’ and are used to instruct young members of the society, as well as during initiation ceremonies. The present figure shows the perfectly depicted type of the pregnant adulteress ‘Wayinda’:
with round head and typical Lega face, heart-shaped and concave towards the inside, with rectangular coffee bean eyes, long nose and white kaolin coating. Her neck is offset in one place. The shoulders are wide and flat. Her long forearms lie with her hands upwards, across her chest. Below, the round belly of a pregnant woman curves out, and her thick, bent legs are wide-set to the sides. A perfect example of this extraordinary and rare figure type ‘Wayinda’, which occurs not only amongst the Lega, but also amongst their southern neighbours, the east Bembe.
The present, interesting ‘Wayinda figure’ shows only a few minuscule holes and cracks (earlier insect infestation?) and colour slightly scuffed on exposed ares through protracted use. Otherwise no damage. Good, shiny patina through the long-term use of this figure during initiation rituals of the Lega. There is a collection inventory number, in white letters, on the left foot at the outside.
Height: 37 cm; width: c. 20 cm.
First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
South African private collection.

Lit.:
‘African Art in American Collections’ by Robbins & Nooter, ill. 1228 (here referred to as a figure of the ‘Bembe’), ’L’art des Lega’, catalogue Musée du Quai Branly Paris, ill. 39, 135 (here: ‘Lega’).