Hemba Singiti sculpture

The Singiti, an iconic Hemba ancestral figure

Referenced as AAA83, this Versmissen sculpture is a Hemba Singiti depicting a male ancestor. Carved from beige-toned natural wood, it measures 18 × 15,5 × 54 cm. The piece dates from the 20th century and originates from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Singiti embodies sacred kingship and ancestor veneration in Hemba culture. This figure conveys a connection to spirituality and cultural heritage, as well as the influence of belief in great ancestors on Hemba art. Its vertical format highlights the human representation and the ancestor's symbolic presence. This sculpture thus combines a clearly defined identity, documented provenance and a cultural function connected to ancestral memory.

Features of the Singiti sculpture

• Depiction of a male ancestor
• Carved from natural wood
• Dimensions: 18 × 15,5 × 54 cm
• Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dating from the 20th century