Kundu - K. K. Bunseki Fu-Kiau

[KaNisa]

Man with Kundu

This seated statuette-a man that has a kundu with a mirror, a gun on his knees, wearing the hat of Force Publique-also represents colonial time, the army of the colonial power. The nose is elongated to indicate this is not an African person. These statuettes were made as didactical tools, to teach people what is going on in the society. Part of our power is being destroyed, but we still keep track of this secretly. These are people we don't trust because they are standing between. Such men cannot be fully accepted: they are like the bats, birds that seem like animals and yet they fly.

Seattle Art Museum: Long Steps advisor - Fu Kiau Bunseki