Identify this item?

Hello!

East African sculpture by Prezi posted Sep 29, 2023 at 5:47 PM

I believe my partner was given this item when he worked in Burundi in 2001. Vaguely recall it may have come from Congo. It is heavily damaged from perhaps an insect infestation and I am wondering if it is okay to discard it or if I should try to repair it. I feel a little guilty throwing it away.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

donate it..!

 

Good idea! Anyone recognize this style of sculpture?

 

I'm also worried it could be termites or wood borers and wouldn't want to spread that.

 

Don't worry, Insects need moister to survive so if it's dry as a bone there isn't anything living in it. If you don't want to drill it out and turn it into a Hooka then burn it to ward off the evil spirits that may reside!

 

@2manybooks ??

 

only if there's sawdust , do u still have live critters...

 

It appears to be a (rather perfunctory) tourist quality carving copying a traditional pose for Kuba kings (known as an "ndop"). (Democratic Republic of the Congo) -


https://www.khanacademy.org/humanit.../ndop-portrait-of-king-mishe-mishyaang-mambul


https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1909-1210-1

I don't think the world would miss it if you choose to dispose of it.