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Figure (kiteki)
late 1800s–mid-1900s
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
<em>Biteki</em> is the generic name for Yaka figures used as containers for magical ingredients. After being charged by a ritual specialist, they become <em>minkisi</em>, or power objects, and gain the power to either cure or harm. This example, with various leadership accouterments, likely belongs to the category called <em>phuungu</em>. Placed inside a house, the statuette would have protected against witches and other evil.
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Details
- Title: Figure (kiteki)
- Date Created: late 1800s–mid-1900s
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 23 cm (9 1/16 in.)
- Provenance: Katherine C. White [1929-1980], Gates Mills, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, Harry Franklin, Los Angeles, CA
- Type: Sculpture
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1974.201
- Medium: Wood, lizard skin, leopard tooth, pods, cloth, and natural fiber
- Fun Fact: The sculptures and the specially selected materials inside assist the prayers of owners for protection from harm, sickness, or loss.
- Department: African Art
- Culture: Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Yaka-style carver
- Credit Line: Gift of Katherine C. White
- Collection: African Art
- Accession Number: 1974.201
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