This figurine is an example of the so-called ‘bibendum’ style, named after the Michelin man. It seems to have been especially popular among southern Lega peoples.

All Lega objects in this display case reference bwami society. Its members were spread over various village communities and had considerable moral, political, and legal power.

Bwami was a strongly hierarchical society, with about five ranks — the number changed from region to region. Almost 80 per cent of men joined the first level, but only an elite could climb to the highest ranks.