Originating from the Bena Lulua people of south-central Democratic Republic of Congo, this remarkable maternity figure—often referred to as Mbulenga—reflects the refined aesthetics and spiritual depth of Lulua sculpture. Carved with great sensitivity and technical mastery, it embodies both artistic beauty and ritual significance within the complex magico-religious traditions of the community.
Lulua statuary is known for its finely rendered bodies, carefully polished surfaces, and the numerous scarifications engraved into the wood. Far from being purely decorative, these marks express ideals of beauty, social distinction, spiritual strength, and ancestral connection. In this particular category, female maternity figures hold a central place.
Linked to the Bwanga bwa Cibola cult, these sculptures were dedicated to fertility, maternal protection, and the safeguarding of pregnancy and childbirth. They were consulted to prevent miscarriages, ensure the health of newborns, and invoke the benevolent intervention of ancestral forces. Typically, the mother is depicted carrying her child, emphasizing both tenderness and responsibility, while her stylized proportions—enlarged head, carefully delineated torso, and marked abdomen—symbolize wisdom, life force, and reproductive power.
Beyond their ritual use, these works stand among the most expressive and prestigious creations of Lulua art. They affirm the essential role of motherhood, the continuity of lineage, and the vital link between the visible world and the ancestral realm, themes deeply rooted in Lulua spirituality and aesthetics.
This highly refined example, distinguished by its powerful presence and sculptural quality, comes from the B. Berete collection, adding recognized provenance to its cultural and artistic significance.
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