Used for divination by members of the 'Bugabo' society.
Magic derives from a hole for fetish materials on top of the head.
From the Maniema region, so peoples like the Kusu, Zimba and the Luba employed similar objects.
The shells are those of the giant African land snail (achatina fulica).
We call the truncated female figure atop a gourd a Kabwelulu, but we have also seen it written as Kabwe Lugullu.
Gourd has been repaired, but is totally intact.
Height: 11"
Width and Depth: 7"
Ex. Leonard Kahan Gallery, NY (purchased in 1992), and ex. Christopher and Genevieve collection.
