African tribal Art, zande statue from Democratic Republic of Congo.

Description

Title
African art tribal, Zande statue from Democratic Republic of Congo
Type of Object
Statue
of Origin
Democratic Republic of Congo
People
Zande
Materials
Wood
Approximate size
45 m-- 17 inches high.
The word Azande means "the people who possess much land." This relates to their history as conquering warriors. The Zande migrated during the 18th century from Sudan to the northern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, settling on the banks of the Uele River. They live also in the Central African Republic and the Sudan. They occupy a region of savanna and forest and in common with the Mangbetu, Zande men hunt and fish while the women tend the fields. In political terms, this ethnic group of 750,000 people is ruled by a king with succession to the throne passing to his eldest son, while the younger ones govern the kingdom's provinces. The Zande have been ruled by different members of a single royal dynasty, the Avangara. Royal patronage was significant in the development and movement of art throughout this area. The political structure is counterbalanced by the Mani secret association, created at the end of the 19th century