Accession Number
2001/2.19

Title
Staff

Artist(s)
Yaka

Artist Nationality
Yaka (Kwango-Kwilu region style)

Object Creation Date
mid 20th century

Medium & Support
wood

Dimensions
43 in x 5 1/2 in x 2 in (109.3 cm x 14 cm x 5 cm);43 in x 5 1/2 in x 2 in (109.3 cm x 14 cm x 5 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Margaret H. and Albert J. Coudron

Subject matter
Finely carved staffs (called "kooko" or "nhkuumbu" in the local language) display their use as symbols of a chief's authority. Reference to leadership and the elders is also made in the variations in coiffure and headgear that represent the distinctive hairstyles of previous generations of chiefs. Among the Yaka, living elders and chiefs were regarded as repositories of supernatural powers, who can protect against evil as well as withdraw their protection in case of disobedience or disrespect.

Physical Description
A stylized human head with an elaborate coiffure, sitting atop a larger animal head with scarification marks below the eyes, tops a well-carved staff with angular handle and a zig-zag carved pattern below the handle. The eyes of both figures are set in shallow cavities and appear squinted or closed.

Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
staff

Additional Object Classification(s)
Ritual Object

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
ceremonial staffs
head
heads (animal components)
staff
staffs (walking sticks)