Data Source

National Museum of African Art

Label Text

The relief carving of a hand below the handle is generally described as a warrior's emblem (yolo). It refers to his investiture where, at least symbolically, he presented the hand of an enemy. The face at the top of the handle, although highly stylized on this example, generally appears on royal objects.

Description

Wood drum with round plinth base, long body with swelling top third carved with geometric pattern. Handle has an incised face knotted pattern arm, ending in a flattened hand. Drum head is sewn, and attached with tacks.

Provenance

Eliot Elisofon, New York, before 1955 to 1973

Exhibition History

Three Collections: An Exhibition, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, June 1-17, 1955, no. 74

Maker

Kuba artist

Date

Mid-20th century

Credit Line

Bequest of Eliot Elisofon

Medium

Wood, hide, plant fiber, metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 74.9 x 29.8 x 29.8 cm (29 1/2 x 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 in.)

Type

Musical Instrument

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

Object number

73-7-445

Topic

Leadership

Status

Male use

hand

Geography

Kasai-Sankuru River region, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Object Name

ngoma buluba