Teke Buti fetish reliquary statue from Congo in carved wood from the 1950s

Teke buti reliquary fetish statue from congo in carved wood 1950s reliquary fetish statue in carved wood and glass eyes from congo of the teke buti ethnic group as you can see the statue is old, traces of time are visible. In the hollow of the belly there remains what looks like a mixture of hair and straw. This beautifully carved african wooden statue is a buti fetish originating from the teke ethnic group in the republic of congo. It is actually a reliquary figure sometimes also called butti or nkiba used to physically embody ancestral spirits called ikwii. Buti statues such as this one are identified as male ancestors and are placed in a sanctuary specifically intended for the deceased in the family. The buti was invoked to answer questions as part of the resolution of personal problems. The large cavity that we see carved into the trunk accommodates the bonga medicinal charge composing the physical and conceptual core of the buti. The bonga breathes life into an inanimate body. When using the fetish, the owner rings a bell, shakes a rattle, and whispers in the character's ear. Upon the owner's death, the statue is desecrated by removing its magical charge. It then becomes a statue called a tege when devoid of its charge. It is then buried with the deceased. Height: 42 cm - 16.53 " width: 12.5 cm - 4.92 " depth: 11 cm - 4.33 " weight: 720 g.