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Slit Gong

Mangbetu Slit Drum/Gong

Democratic Republic of Congo
Mangbetu

Wood, Metal Bell, Fiber
Early 20th Century

Height: 29cm / Length: 97cm / Width: 17cm
Idiophone - Struck Directly

Prestige drum with two women showing elegant coiffures. The figures also have body and facial markings burned onto the surface representing scarification. It is large and most likely an object of chiefly use or used by a diviner to forestall the actions of malevolent spirits known as Likundu.

 

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-IDST-133