Yombe
Democratic Republic of CongoFlywhisk, Early–mid-20th century
On view
Wood, metal and buffalo tail
Dimensions17 1/2 × 3 × 2 in. (44.5 × 7.6 × 5.1 cm)
Museum purchase with funds from the Collection Endowment, 2015.67
This flywhisk co-opts the power of colonial invaders by combining the image of Christ, their principal deity, with drums and other musical instruments used to communicate with Yombe ancestors. The kneeling female figure invokes the power of females to procreate and nurture.
