Lengola Puppet - Ubanga Nyama - Lengola - DR Congo

The Lengola, whose territory is almost entirely surrounded by that of the Metoko, between the Lualaba and Lomami rivers, were socially structured by the Bakota institution, similar to the latter.
The large puppet-like statues of veneration.
Lengola are known as ubanga Nyama.
They were erected in the center of the village after the chief's death.
These minimalist sculptures are believed to represent the founding ancestor of Lengola, Suway. Such statuettes are rare (Neyt: 38), and their exact functions are poorly understood (Biebuck: 240). Biebuck suggests that these statues allowed invocations to be made, particularly by men.
They are also used during the Butoko initiation rites.
These figurines can be disassembled if necessary for storage or portability, as they are rarely used.