Wood in African material culture

8 Damaged wood

Not all ritual, household or ceremonial objects are made to last forever. Some objects degrade more or less quickly in the face of harsh weather and insects, while others, made out of resistant species, live long lives even when they’re not taken care of.

Termites gnawed on this piece. Avoiding light, they fed by digging tunnels that are not visible from the surface. In 2004 the object was restored mainly by plugging the gutted wood and reattaching the nails that were threatening to break away from the stand.

Kishi ritual power object
Kasai Province’ - Songye
EO.1952.15.1
Canarium schweinfurthii
© RMCA