Ancienne marionnette africaine Kebe-kebe (club de danse), peuple Kuyu, République vente du Congo.

AFRICAN PUPPET HEAD DANCE CLUB

A scarce Kebe-kebe (sometimes referred to as Kyebe-kyebe) puppet head from the Kuyu Peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Kuyu are a very small tribal group who live along the banks of the river Kuyu. These puppets are used in Kebe-kebe dance ceremonies occurring at the end of initiation periods for boys and girls.

The puppet characters are held as a dance club and presented by dancers hidden under large cloaks, the puppets held up high above their heads. The dancers spin round with their adorned cloaks swirling outwards.

The puppets illustrate characters in different ways. Female puppets are often depicted with sharpened teeth (as seen in this example) which the Kuyu regard as a symbol of beauty.

Date: early to mid 20th Century

Condition: Good original condition commensurate with age. The holes in the rear of the head may once have held feathers.

Dimensions:

Height: 55.8 cm (22”)
Width: 11.3 cm (4-1/2”)
Depth: 11 cm (4-3/8”)

Weight: 795 g

Stock number: AC2132