Lot: 137

96th Auction

Standing female figure "kaponya" or "hamba"

Angola, Chokwe

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
Piet Lepelaar, Leiden, The Netherlands H: 13.8 inch This object is not available anymore.

wood, pigments,
According to Bastin, the term "kaponya" (pl. "tuponya") is the generic name for a figurative sculpture. In order to become a "hamba" (pl. "mahamba"), a figure has to be consecrated by a ritual specialist or healer "mbuki".

The term "hamba" in its primary interpretation refers to ancestor and nature spirits, sometimes called tutelary spirits, that mediate between God ("kalunga" or "nzambi") and man.

Figures "mahamba" are primarily used in connection with fertility, healing or as hunting spells. They may belong to the community or to individuals. In any case, they must receive regular offerings so that they provide their help and support.


Petridis, Constantine, Art and Power in the Central African Savanna, Brussels 2008, p. 96 ff.