African figure from the Yombe, Congo. This type of figure has protecting function. Hand carved from a single piece of wood. Height: 33 cm. This figure is from the Yombe tribe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is carved from hard heavy wood and decorated with metal rings and color. Figures of the Yombe are one of the most recognizable carvings found in African art. These figurines were mainly constructed by women trying to evoke spirits of fertility in hopes of giving birth, or to keep an young infant healthy. These figures were usually displayed in shrines to evoke the spirits.