Ndimu Ventral Mask
Makonde · Tanzania
Reference: MVT-3
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- Height
- 48 cm
- Material
- Wood and pigments.
They are worn by men during ceremonies intended to celebrate fertility, at a time, in most of the populations of women and of the land. These…
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Full original description
They are worn by men during ceremonies intended to celebrate fertility, at a time, in most of the populations of women and of the land. These masks show the breasts and belly of a pregnant woman, as the most real symbol of fertility and procreation.
These masks participate in the rites of passage of adolescents to adulthood, Unyago, among the Makondé, as well as in the playful parties that are held below. Circumcised boys receive the “likumbi” initiation before and later the “ngoma” initiation that teaches them the secrets of marriage and prepares them for domestic life. It is also used in a playful dance, danced by men, in which the birth is parodyed.
Further technical information
- Width
- 25 cm
- Attributed period
- First third of the century XX
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
Tanzania. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.
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Attributions, dates and accounts come from the preserved catalogue. They do not constitute certification of authenticity or provenance. An object’s presence on this website does not mean it is available for sale.
