Bracelet

Kongo artist · 17th-18th century

Cast bracelets with relief images were among the emblems of the Lemba cult. From the mid-17th century to the first decades of the 20th century, Lemba functioned in a number of Kongo groups in central Africa. Traces of the cult have also been documented in Haiti and Brazil. Although changing over time and place, this complex cult initially focused on healing. Its members were the elite of Kongo society, those successful in the trade of European goods, slaves and copper. Only married couples could join the cult. Bracelets were exchanged and were either worn or kept wrapped in palm fronds. Owners rubbed their bracelets wtih palm oil and redwood powder.