Made from bone, this Lega Bwami society initiation object resembles a miniature billhook decorated with engraved circle-and-dot decorations. Pieces such as this would have been kept in an initiate's woven side-bag, and only brought out and displayed during meetings and ceremonies of Bwami society members. The Bwami teaching of pacifism means that anything that can be used as a weapon is banned from ceremonies and performances. Non functional tools fashioned from ivory, bone and wood, such as this billhook, are used as Bwami initiation objects.
Estimated Period: Mid-20th Century
Ex Tomi van Duuren Collection, The Netherlands
References
Elisabeth L. Cameron, 'Art of the Lega', p. 17 & p.88
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