Part of a ruler's regalia, this flywhisk handle once had a buffalo tail attached to its upper end. The depiction of a seated ruler with all his regalia further emphasized the status conveyed by the use of ivory. The female figure represents the support of the matrilineal line. The elephant carrying a rooster alludes to a Kongo myth in which an elephant carries the sons of the great Ne Kongo, founder of the Kongo kingdom. The row of small oval shapes represents cowrie shells, which were once used as currency.

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