A rare Mbole figure

ofika, of overall cubistic form, the downward pointed feet bridged at the ankle  beneath the rounded torso with pendant phallus and central faceted band framed by the arms bent forward with hands mimicking the feet, the large head with heart-shaped facial plane, notched features and wearing a bi-sected transversely crested coiffure; pierced at the upper back and back of the feet, with small cavities at the underside and crown of the head; aged dark brown surface with areas of yellow ochre and kaolin.

In his discussion of a related figure from the collection of the Tervuren Museum, Biebuyck (in MRAC 1995: 382) outlines the function of the rare Mbole figures. The Mbole ofika figures share some characteristics with the Lega and the Bembe –the heart-shaped face and unusual position of the arms. However, this 'unique but well-known type of carving belongs to high-ranking members of the Lilwa association...'  The Lilwa is a graded association with a similar socio-judicial function to the Bwami of the Lega, but the initiation process is less complex and there is less artisitic production associated with each rite. 'The famed, conventionalized, polychrome statues (ofika) represent persons who were hanged for transgressing against the laws of Lilwa and the public order; they may eventually portray sacrificial victims. The figurines also have some reference to a pre-burial custom applied to high-ranking Lilwa members' involving suspension of the body.

See also Biebuyck (1976: 55) for a closely related, Cubistic figure in the collection of the MRAC Tervuren.