A Mangbetu terracotta vessel.

The Mangbetu are a people of Central Africa present in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were known for the practice of deforming the skull. They enveloped the head of the newborn in cords, before the consolidation of the bones, for a year, thus gently extending their skulls. 

unknown photographer.

This special form was considered a sign of beauty and intelligence. The origin of this practice dates back to the ancient Egypt. In fact, the Mangbetu are a Nilo-Sudanese people, originally from ancient Nubia, which explains the link with this practice.

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Height: 61 cm
Weight: 3,5 kg