Reliquary Kota Obamba

 

Together with the Mahongwes are the best known manifestations of the reliquaries Kota. Like its northern neighbours, its use by the Obamba can come from the 10th century approximately, developing from the century onwards. XV with the first contact with Europeans, which facilitate the provisioning in brass and copper. These metals, yellow and red, were symbols of wealth and their employment seemed appropriate to honor the dead.

They are mainly characterized by a species of croisant that crowns the hairstyle, with large ears or lateral fins on which hangs a kind of pendant. His body is formed by a rhombus parallel to his face. These lockets are named after Ngulu-Mbulu And they have only one face.

In style Shamaye the lateral parts appeared in a discreet way, rather to the sides of the face. While the Ndassa, more southern, seem to have achieved the highest degree of style refinement Obamba.

The style Sangu or Masango reduces the proportions of the head and suppresses the lateral parts, although it retains the rhombus and copper splattering. They always appear in the center of a basket braided with vegetable fibers. These figures are named after Mbumba.

 

The purpose of the keeper of reliquary is to pay homage to the ancestors, guarding their relics, to implore their protection and acute.