TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:
    Mangbetu "Kundi" Harp

    Bow Harp, "Kundi", a musical instrument with a wood body, hide
    overlay and hand-woven strings.   Harps and other stringed
    instrurents are among the most important art forms in Africa.  
    These musical instrument are used in religious and secular
    ceremonial court functions, including dance, rituals, and story-
    telling.  Many examples incorporate the human form as the body
    of the instrument.  They are considered a “prestige object.”
       
    This is an exquisite museum quality harp from the Mangbetu
    peoples who live in the northeastern part of the Democratic
    Republic of Congo (formally Zaire).  This complex musical
    instrument is almost impossible to find now because of civil strife
    in the Congo.
       

Ethnic Group:  
    Mangbetu Society

Country of Origin:          
                                             Congo

Material:          
                                             Wood
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Deminsions:


Reference:                  
    THE TRIBAL ARTS OF AFRICA by JEAN-BAPTISTE
    BACQUART, p140,143).