Female Figure c. 19th century

This wooden Female Figure was carved by an artist of the Chokwe people, in an area that today is part of Angola or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chokwe art embodies a complex understanding of gender roles and social status. Female figures, like this one, held particular significance, often representing the power and influence of women in Chokwe society. While specific functions varied, these figures were frequently used in rituals connected with fertility, healing, and divination, underscoring the central roles women occupied in these crucial practices. Art historical resources, combined with anthropological studies, are invaluable in deciphering the cultural codes embedded within such objects. By researching the social history of the Chokwe people, we gain insight into how this figure reflects and reinforces their world view. We come to understand that the meaning of art is deeply rooted in the social and institutional contexts in which it was created.