Statue Maternity Bacongo

The Bakongo people (or Kongo people) have traditionally recognized their descent from their mother, and this lineage links them into kinship groups.

Mother and child figures represents the female ancestor taking care of her descendants. This commemorative figure would have been used to honor the maternal spirit who brings prosperity and fertility. Among the Kongo people, woman is considered as the chief of the family. Thus, female ancestor is the guarantor of the fecundity and continuity of the clan or family. Such sculptures would be kept on a family or local shrine where she would be receiving sacrifices and offerings.