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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;2manybooks, post: 9435052, member: 8267&quot;]The Hemba have been subjects of the neighboring Luba kingdom for a long time, and they share many cultural features. Such small half-figures serve as amulets in several contexts, as protection against malevolent forces, aids to successful ventures, and in divination practices where they are attached to gourds containing significant materials (called &quot;kabwelulu&quot;). Yours does look to have some &quot;age&quot;, although without specific provenance it is difficult to say with African carvings. The surface looks interesting. The reddish elements may be due to application of &quot;nkula&quot; powder from Pterocarpus bark, as mentioned in the description of this Luba carved head:</p><p><a href="https://islandora.lib.uiowa.edu/islandora/object/ui%3Astanley_X1990.666a" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://islandora.lib.uiowa.edu/islandora/object/ui%3Astanley_X1990.666a" rel="nofollow">https://islandora.lib.uiowa.edu/islandora/object/ui:stanley_X1990.666a</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/african-art/Usual-items-african-art/Kabwelulu-Fetish/17825#" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/african-art/Usual-items-african-art/Kabwelulu-Fetish/17825#" rel="nofollow">https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/african-art/Usual-items-african-art/Kabwelulu-Fetish/17825#</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://art-africain-traditionnel.com/en/utility-items/1770-luba-kabwelulu-calabash.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://art-africain-traditionnel.com/en/utility-items/1770-luba-kabwelulu-calabash.html" rel="nofollow">https://art-africain-traditionnel.com/en/utility-items/1770-luba-kabwelulu-calabash.html</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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