Bakishi

• Title Bakishi
• Category Sculpture
• Medium Wood and rope
• Dimensions 5"h x 1.5"w x 1.5"d
• Year Completed Undated
• Description The Kanyok people of Kasai make wooden representations of male ancestors, bakishi, who are honored, prayed to, and consulted. As a sign of gratitude, living people offer gifts of food and palm wine to the bakishi. These small images are kept in miniature conical huts located in front of the family dwelling. The bakishi images carved for the Mwen a Kanyok (supreme chef) can measure up to a foot or more in height, are more detailed, and are housed in more imposing dwellings. The small-scale bakishi of ordinary households were the precursors for those of the ruling class. The two bakishi statures featured here have small holes presumably made by burrowing insects or worms.
• Artist Kanyok Congo
• Credit John and Janet Yoder Collection
• Location Library Art Storage I7
• Accession Number 2022.0200.a-b
• Status Available Request this art work
  
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