Rare Bakongo Ritual Staff of the Khimba Initiation Society

A Carved wooden scepter with deep well handled surface patina and featuring two male effigy on top. According to sources such figures represent the original male initiates known as "Matundu" and "Mala

Nkulu Tortoise Mask, Lega (Warega) People, Democratic Republic of Congo, 20th c., for use in Bwami Society initiation rituals. Roughly 10" x 8". Good condition.

light wood, metal, animal skin, These busts were used in rituals of the "bwiti" initiation society as part of the ancestor cult "mombe". They were placed in baskets containing human bones and magical

A very rare old Toma peoples mask from Sierra Leone, West Africa. A carved wooden mask with strong angular cheeks and very interesting treatment to the mouth. Bold linear incised designs and a very we

This is a rare plant fiber mask known as "Mbawa" or the Buffalo and was used by an initiation society among the Yaka known as NKANDA. This mask is well constructed with woven fibers and rattan like st

A carved wooden ritual mask with heavy kaolin clay pigments and organic colors, showing handling and wear. Kongo Yombe peoples Deformity mask from the DRC / Congo, central Africa. The mask measures 12

A finely cast bronze double edan staff piece, used by the Ogboni or Oshugbo, one of the most prominent Yoruba religious cult societies, which worships the owner of the earth, Onile. The prime function

A long and very fine double sided beaded sheath for a ritual staff, a long hollow tube like sheath that would hold a long iron staff. This rare and exquisite example features many ancestor style faces

A rare carved wood and painted ceremonial mask worn by young boys during initiation rituals. They embody ancestral or spirit figures in human form. They serve as instructors and guardians to the initi

The muder, or scorpion, was produced by the Ingesanna of Sudan, Africa. Such swords were traditionally used during initiation ritual, though in recent memory the tribe states that they are carried by

This is a wonderful large carved wooden headdress/ mask from the Bidjogo peoples of Guinea Bissau west Africa , who hold initiation rituals for young girls and boys, according to their age group. Thes

Perfect shaped wooden mask in the shape of a gorilla head and used by the Bakongo tribe in Congo. The gorilla is important for the community. He represents power and is used in initiation rituals and

a very rare and fascinating ritual Object from the Urhobo peoples, Nigeria, Africa. Measures 28 inches tall on wooden base.This is a ceremonial staff carved from a single piece of wood and featuring t

A carved wooden mask with exaggerated eyes and a well handled and worn surface suggesting ritual use, most likely used in initiation ceremonies. Mbangani or Binji peoples mask, Congo, central Africa.

A rare and fascinating Cult object used as part of initiation ceremonies by the Bwami Secret Society, among the Lega peoples of the Congo, central Africa. Such objects are little documented and rare,

Rare triple faced mask. It was used by the male NGIL society that no longer exists today. This secret society was responsible for the initiation and they fought against witchcraft. The Ngil had a ritu

These masks were used by the male NGIL society that no longer exists today. This secret society was responsible for the initiation and they fought against witchcraft. The Ngil had a ritual purifying f

These masks were used by the male NGIL society that no longer exists today. This secret society was responsible for the initiation and they fought against witchcraft. The Ngil had a ritual purifying f

These masks were used by the male NGIL society that no longer exists today. This secret society was responsible for the initiation and they fought against witchcraft. The Ngil had a ritual purifying f

A carved wooden mask accented with mineral pigments. The Kumu carve the "Nsembu" mask for use by members of the Nkunda Secret Society for the purposes of adult initiation. They also use the mask for d

A small Central African Congo Lega hand carved wood mask. The Lega mask has important symbolic and ritual significance. The masks were used for initiation into the first two levels of Bwami society an

A very rare carved stone shrine mask used by a diviner in ritual ceremonies. The mask resembles the masks of the Bwami society. The mask measures 11 x 7 inches, 14.5 inches tall on custom display stan

A tall slender carved wooden shrine idol embellished with red pigment, encrusted patina, signs of ritual use."Kundul" figures are typically mounted on iron spikes, enabling the sculpture to be stuck i

A carved wooden staff decorated with hand hammered iron designs and a large iron semi-spherical headdress. This staff is known as an "Ofo" which is a ritual symbol of authority among the Igbo. Accordi