A Mbole monkey sculpture, DRC.

The Mbole people, who inhabit the rainforest regions of the Tshopo Province in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, are well-known for their rich sculptural tradition, particularly their monkey figures. Among the Mbole, the monkey holds significant symbolic meaning tied to power, cunning, and social order.

Mbole monkey sculptures are typically carved from wood and often depict a seated or crouching monkey with an expressive face, sometimes featuring exaggerated eyes, mouth, or ears. These figures may be adorned with metal accents, beads, or scarification marks, emphasizing their spiritual and social importance. The monkey is associated with the chief’s authority and the enforcement of social norms, as well as a connection to the forest spirits.
In Mbole culture, the monkey figure is closely linked to secret societies and ritual practices that govern social conduct and justice. The sculptures are often kept in shrines or used in ceremonies to invoke protection, wisdom, and mediation with the spiritual world.

According to art historian John M. Janzen:
“The Mbole monkey figure embodies a complex intersection of power and wit. It is both a mirror of human society and a guardian of its moral order. Its presence in ritual contexts reflects the community’s reliance on both spiritual and social mechanisms to maintain harmony.”
(The Art of the Mbole: Form and Meaning in Congo Sculpture, 1985).

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Height: 67 cm
Weight: 1,6 kg