A Baga Female D'mba Figure

Guinea, late 19th to mid- 20th century, female figure displaying an intricately carved braided coiffure with high crest down center, large protruding ears and nose, and flat pendant breasts.

25 1/2 x 9 1/2 x 11 1/4 in.

From the Collection of the late Robert and Judith Weston, Detroit, Michigan

Unlike masked representations from other African cultures, which may represent ethereal spirits or ancestors, d'mba is not a "spirit," but instead is loosely described by the Baga themselves as simply an "idea." D'mba is an abstraction of the ideal of the female role in Baga society. She is honored as the universal mother and is the vision of woman at the zenith of her power, beauty, and affective presence. Although d'mba is not a spiritual being in the Baga sense of the term, nor a deity, she is a being of undeniable spiritual power. The Baga conceive of her as a servant of sorts—inspiring young women with the strength to bear children and raise them to adulthood, inspiring young men to cooperative excellence in agriculture, and inspiring the ancestors to contribute toward the continuance of community well-being.

Information courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum.

Break and repair to left arm; some small areas of insect damage; scattered small cracks and evidence of water damage.