The first full investigation into the symbolic artworks of the Babembe, this richly illustrated monograph presents a particular type of sculpture that the Babembe devoted to their family ancestors. Many of these anthropomorphic wooden statues are published here for the first time, and they bear the same tattoos and sacrifications, or skin decorations, that these people have always used to embellish their bodies during initiation ceremonies. Text in English and French. 140 colour images