YAKA FETISH FIGURES ARCHIVES, DRC

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The Yaka fetishes below have been vetted as authentic, with evidence of age and use.

YAKA Fetish 72 SOLD

YAKA Fetish 71 SOLD

YAKA Fetish 64* SOLD

*No. 64 is from the Herbert Baker collection. An early collector and dealer of African Art, Herbert Baker had an exhibition
of part of his collection at the Museum of Primitive Art, NYC in 1969. This figure was purchased from him and includes his bill of sale with guarantee of authenticity from 1980.

YAKA Fetish 69 SOLD

YAKA Fetish 63 SOLD

YAKA Fetish 70 SOLD

YAKA Fetish 71 SOLD

YAKA Fetish 72 SOLD

YAKA Fetish 61 14.25" high SOLD

YAKA Fetish 65 10.5" high SOLD

YAKA Fetish 64 12.5" high SOLD

YAKA Fetish 66 10.25" high SOLD

YAKA Fetish 67 9.75" high SOLD

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Despite their appearance, the Yaka figures below show no evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.

YAKA STYLE Fetish 1 42" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 3 33" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 4 32" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 5 33.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 6 30" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 7 27.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 10 26.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 11 27" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 12 25" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 13 24.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 14 25" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 15 23.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 16 24" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 17 23" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 20 22.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 21 23.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 23 21" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 24 22" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 25 22" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 26 23.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 27 22" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 29 20" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 30 20" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 31 20" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 33 19.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 35 18" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 36 18.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 38 17" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 55 22.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 56 10.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 41 14.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 42 14" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 44 13.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 39 17" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 48 13" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 46 13" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 47 13" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 49 12.25" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 50 12" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 54 19.5" high SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 53 SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 22 SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 32 SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 2 SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 9 SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 28 SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 37 SOLD

YAKA STYLE Fetish 51 SOLD

Fetishes were protective figures used by individuals, families, or whole communities to destroy or weaken evil spirits, prevent or cure illnesses, repel bad deeds, solemnize contracts or oath-taking, and decide arguments. A diviner or holy person would activate the statue, using magical substances. Fetishes gained power and were effective because people believed in them.

Yaka fetishes known as Biteki support sacred substances containing life force. These materials, together with the figure, assist the prayers and supplications of their owners for protection of harm, sickness or loss. Distinctive facial features of Yaka sculpture include the bisected eyes and upturned noses that are typical of their masks as well.