Kifwebe MASK - Songye / Luba Culture, Zaire DRC - First half of the 20th century

Kifwebe MASK

Songye / Luba Culture, Zaire DRC

First half of the 20th century

Wood, pigments and horsehair

H.: 48; W.: 25 cm

(Restoration)

A very expressive mask with a particularly prominent square-shaped mouth, marked with an incised cross, that appears to be whistling. The prominent nasal ridge extends into a crest to the top of the mask.

The half-moon shaped eyelids are pigmented brown and open into two horizontal slits.

The entire wood is striated and decorated with a polychrome decoration alternating between kaolin white, black and brown.

This mask was danced during initiation rituals.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref.: 5613