Friction oracle “Itoom“ – Wood – Kuba – Congo DRC

Oracle figures are among the most appealing and rare objects in African tribal art. They are meant as an intermediary between the earthly existence and the ‘ upper world and may only be used by the initiated medicine man/soothsayer.
The oracle figure presented here is a rub oracle (called Itoom or Itombwa) of the Kuba tribe. These rub oracles are only known by the Kuba and their neighbors: the Lele tribe.

The use of the oracle figure is simple: a villager visits the witch doctor with a question or a physical complaint. The medicine man makes contact with the forest spirits, moistens the top of the oracle figure and begins to rub the top of the figure with rub wood whilst asking many relevant questions in fast tempo. As soon as the rub wood gets some resistance, the forest spirits are answering and the medicine man can use his interpretation of the problem.
Good condition with a great aged patina. Contains traces of tribal use.

Provenance: former private collection Germany.