Tribal Art

Named Bonganga or Efomba according to the authors, these very geometric anthropomorphic coffins were intended to accommodate the remains of dignitaries of the Ngata ethnic group. As in ancient Egypt, this type of sarcophagus was commissioned during their lifetime by high-ranking people. These " bonganga-nganga " sculptures stand out for their polychromy and beautiful alternation of geometric patterns. This ornamentation takes up the traditional scarifications, tattoos, paintings and textiles with which the deceased adorns himself. The hollow back acts as a receptacle in which horns have been placed. Smaller in size than those dedicated to the great chiefs (some of which can reach more than 2m), this type of sculpture could have been dedicated to a family cult, and not placed on the tomb of the deceased.