Kifwebe face mask
Basongye · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Reference: MFANT-10
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- Height
- 46 cm
- Material
- Wood and polychrome.red.
Pointed head with extensive linear scarifications, in some of which remains the remains of a soft reddish pigmentation. Ripped eyes and prominent triangular nose and rectangular…
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Full original description
Pointed head with extensive linear scarifications, in some of which remains the remains of a soft reddish pigmentation. Ripped eyes and prominent triangular nose and rectangular mouth, characteristic practically invariable of this type of masks. The line that goes up on the forehead in the male masks is meant to ask the good spirits to favor progeniture.
These masks accompany initiation rites and members of the secret society Bwadi Bwa take out the masks too Kifwébé in the funeral ceremonies in honor of a chief, in the enthronement of a new chief and in the visit of important personalities.
Further technical information
- Attributed period
- Priner third of the century XX
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
Democratic Republic of the Congo. 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.
