SONGYE HEAD FROM A POWER FIGURE Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood H.35cm Provenance: Jean-Paul Agogué, Champigny-sur-Marne, France NOTE The Songye reside in the Democratic Republic of Congo, situated to the left of the River Lualaba. Renowned for their craftsmanship, the Songye create a plethora of tribal artworks, including power objects, artefacts related to witchcraft and sorcery. Their rivers hold spiritual significance, believed to house the spirits of deceased chiefs who were frequently laid to rest within them. While larger rivers were communal assets, smaller ones were typically owned by individual families. The following is a fragment of a Songye sculpture, likely part of a head, crafted from hardwood with a dark patina.

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