Mangbetu Beli
In the art and culture of the Mangbetu people (northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo), the term "beli"refers to ancestor statuettes.
These anthropomorphic sculptures embodied the spirits of the ruling aristocracy's ancestors.
The statuettes were primarily used by the secret initiation society known as *nebeli*. They were kept out of sight in hidden, sacred locations.H. : 33cm.