20th century wooden carvings used for sacrificial purposes in Moba villages in Africa

20th century wooden carvings used for sacrificial purposes in Moba villages in Africa

This eroded statue has been preserved outdoors for decades to protect a village in Moba. It represents a female ancestor of the Moba tribe, who was once the focus of worship by villagers to ensure successful hunting and a bountiful harvest. When the owner converted to Christianity or Islam, it was abandoned, which regarded most traditional beliefs and practices as heretics, and is now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts.