Object Name: Female figure with child (mbulenga)
Cultural Group: Lulua peoples
Place of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date: 19th century
Materials Used: Wood, pins, camwood
Dimensions: H: 16.5 cm, D: 3.2 cm (H: 6.5 in, D: 1.3 in)
Credit line and Accession Number: Gift of Lee and Dona Bronson. X78.1719

Among Lulua peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, figures like this one are used to bring beauty and good luck to their owners, and many are used to promote fertility in women. The surface of the figure incorporates camwood, a cosmetic used for beautification by peoples of this region.