Facial Mask

The Ngbandi, neighbours of the Ngbaka and the Ngala, villages between the Ubangui and Lualba rivers, live from agriculture and fishing. Their statues are protective, representing the Ngbirondo spirit to whom they offer sacrifices and libations in particular altars. They are kept in the houses and can be placed at the entrance of the villages to obtain the favors of the protective spirit.

Very sweet expression is that of this dance mask with a heart-shaped face, in which stand out a black mouth and stripes under the eyes that look like tears. Black hair and ochre front. Abundant raffia around the head.

The Ngandi they are settled mainly in DRC, although they are also in Cameroon and Central African Republic where they are called "sanguine". It is a village of fishermen and farmers of Sudanese origin. They are known mainly for their dances the "Gbaduma" that requires great physical agitation, making vibrate the whole body and rapid contractions of back and pelvis and another, quieter dance, the Lenge based on small lateral steps and forward and backward while accompanying those movements with head and shoulders.