Maternity - Bakongo - DR Congo

The Bakongo maternity statues, from the Kongo culture in Central Africa, embody the sacred bond between mother, child and ancestors. Carved in wood, these figures highlight fertility and the continuity of lineage, pillars of traditional society. The mother, often depicted with a solemn posture holding the child against her, symbolizes the transmission of values and spiritual protection. These works, sometimes adorned with nails or ritual residues, served as supports for prayers for family prosperity and healing. They testify to a cosmogony where human life is inextricably linked to the world of spirits.