Kigango

"Kigango"("pl.": "vigango") is "a carved wooden memorial satute erected by the Mijikenda" peoples of north-eastern Africa. The "vigango", which can be of stylized effigies humans and are placed vertically rising out of the earth, honor a dead member of the secret Gohu society.Reyman, Jonathan E., 2008, "The Long Journey Home of Kalume Mwakiru's"Vigango", "The Living Museum" 69 (4): 3-7.] . The traditional use-pattern of "vigango" is to allow them to stand until they naturally decompose [Reyman, Jonathan E., 2008, "The Long Journey Home of Kalume Mwakiru's"Vigango", "The Living Museum" 69 (4): 7.] . A substantial number of these cultural properties are now in U.S. museums, having been stolen, though some have been returned. On the other hand, theft and reselling in the West continues to occur [ [http://209.200.101.189/publications/csq/csq-article.cfm?id=1728 Cultural Survival ] ] .

References