{"product_id":"aa04309","title":"Mangbetu Tribe Bronze Figures ~33.5\" Tall (New 2026)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e H:33.5\" W:10.2\" L:5.1\" Weight: 22.0 lbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA;\"\u003eMangbetu Tribe Bronze Figures\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA;\"\u003e – This is a pair of Mangbetu inspired cast bronze figures depicting a male and female couple in the traditional elongated style associated with the Mangbetu people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The sculptures feature elongated necks, stylized facial features, geometric engraved decoration and ceremonial style adornments characteristic of Central African artistic traditions. Likely mid-20th century decorative workshop castings created in the Mangbetu aesthetic using lost-wax bronze or brass casting techniques.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA;\"\u003eAbout the Tribe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA;\"\u003eThe Mangbetu also spelled Monbuttu refers to an amalgam of linguistically and culturally related people in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Mangbetu people migrated from modern day Sudan during the 19th century. The group comprises of the Mangbetu, Meegye, Makere, Malele, Popoi and Abelu. The language of the Mangbetu is referred to as Kingbetu. Their elongated heads gave them a distinctive look. At birth the heads of babies were tightly wrapped with cloth in order to give their heads the elongated look. Deformation usually starts just a month after birth for the next couple of years, until the desired shape has been reached or the child rejects the apparatus. The custom of skull elongation, called Lipombo by the natives, was a status symbol among the Mangbetu ruling classes, it denoted majesty, beauty, power and higher intelligence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"African Angel Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57363293962400,"sku":"AA04309","price":4375.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0541\/0829\/1232\/files\/AA04309.jpg?v=1779869749","url":"https:\/\/www.africanangelart.com\/products\/aa04309","provider":"African Angel Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}