Yaka

The Yaka, who live in the southwestern corner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have for over a century produced figurative statuettes, masks and other objects that have fascinated Western scholars, collectors and explorers. This book brings together some of the earliest as well as some of the most visually striking examples, exploring their uses in installation and initiation ceremonies and curative rituals and explores their relationship with leadership, divination and sorcery. Colonial influences as well as "anti-fetish" religious movements are also studied for their impact on Yaka traditional art. The book includes 21 black and white illustrations and drawings that accompany the text, 64 colourplates with commentary and annotated bibliography.