Cleveland Museum of Art

Male Figure (Ofika)

Date

late 1800s or early 1900s

Medium

Wood, colorant, and upholstery studs

Culture

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mbole-style carver

Department

African Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Figures such as this, known as ofika, were central to the initiation practices and the enforcement of laws among the all-male Lilwa association, a hierarchical organization that served educational, judicial, political, economic, and ritual functions among the Mbole. Meant to instill a moral code and to act as a cautionary symbol during initiation for Lilwa novices, ofika figures are believed to represent criminals who were ritually hanged for transgressions against Lilwa laws. The figure’s encrusted surface imitates how members covered their bodies with a substance made of ashes and palm oil during burial rites. The stripe painted down the figure's torso represents the cord used for execution.

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