The Bwami bund controls the social and religious life of the Lega people (also known as the Rega or Warega) in eastern Congo. This Bwami society comprises six ranks for men and three ranks for women. To move from one rank to the next, an individual must undergo instruction, examination, and initiation.
The present Janus figure, carved from light-coloured wood and dyed black, depicts a man and a woman (probably the ‘progenitor parents’ of a Lega clan), crouching back to back. Their typical, heart-shaped Lega faces cup inwards, and feature coffee bean eyes and long, flat noses. Both faces were originally coloured white with kaolin (common for the Lega). The arms and hands of both figures rest on their knees, and their heads have hairstyles crafted from small pieces of old monkey fur. Janus figures depicting a man and woman, such as this one, played a role in initiations within the Bwami society.
An interesting, rare object with only minimal colour scuffing to the old kaolin coating of both faces, and tiny cracks to the inside of the woman’s left arm, as well as small, old breakages to the man’s right hand and the lower edges of the legs. Otherwise, no appreciable damage. With a good, partially shiny patina through protracted use.
Dimensions: 25 cm x 14 cm x 11 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.

Lit.: ‘Joyaux Lega’ by Benoit Rousseau, ill. p. 68/69; ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 661, 662; ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 148, ill. 1.