Reliquary Kota Mahongwe Bwete O Mbulu Ngulu

The Mahongwelocated in eastern Gabon, in the regions of Makotu and Mekambo, achieved a high degree of stylization, reducing the body to a simple support with a more or less flattened head covered with thin copper or brass sheets, apparently concave for women and convex for men. Copper and brass, wired or in the form of thin sheets, are systematically part of these reliquary guards. These lockets seem to have given rise to the other lockets KotaHis name, Bweté, is most popularly known as “reliquary cobra” because of its resemblance to the head of this snake. Some researchers see them as Egyptian influences.

 

This type of reliquary was used as long as the mortal remains of the most illustrious ancestors that rested on a sort of basket of raffia non-cortexes persisted and played the role of guardian of these relics. In principle, part of the skull was always preserved.

The great decisions of the clan or of the line were made exclusively in the presence of the initiates, during the course of ceremonies in which these reliquaries intervene.

The stylization and abstraction achieved by KotaThey are made up of trunk, neck and a large head, which is feminine if it is concave or masculine if it is convex. Copper and brass, in sheets, sheets or wire , for the most part, of European origin, systematically form the coating of these so-called reliquary guardians.

This reliquary is lined with rows of copper thread on both sides of the central band. The back is made of copper plate. A copper thread nipple surrounds the contour of the head, which is rounded to the top.