Mortuarium van een leider before 1897

This engraving of a mortuary for an Indigenous chief was made at an unknown date by an anonymous artist, and included in a book. The image gives us a glimpse into the funeral rituals of a community, likely in the Congo region, reflecting their beliefs about death and the afterlife. The details within the engraving invite questions about social hierarchy, religious practices, and the impact of colonialism. How does the depiction of the chief's mortuary reflect his status within the community? What do the surrounding figures and objects signify in terms of mourning or spiritual beliefs? The presence of European text alongside this image underscores the colonial context in which it was produced. To gain a deeper understanding, scholars might consult ethnographic studies, missionary accounts, and colonial archives from the Congo Free State. By examining these sources, we can contextualize this image within the broader history of cultural exchange and power dynamics in the region.