Kifwebe face mask
Basongye · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Reference: MFANT-13
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- Height
- 52 cm
- Material
- Wood and dark polychrome
Used by society Bwadi Bwa Kifwebé is the best known mask, in its male and female versions. Kifweb ́w means simply “mask”, mask used by Bwadi…
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Full original description
Used by society Bwadi Bwa Kifwebé is the best known mask, in its male and female versions. Kifweb ́w means simply “mask”, mask used by Bwadi society Bwa. The face is entirely crossed by linear, parallel scarifications, dominating the red and white ones. The mouth It is always rectangular, the nose elongated and triangular. The eyes, grooved but framed in a large arcade formed by the upper eyebrow. The female mask has a rounded and smooth creneum while the male one wears a crest more or less large that descends from the skull and melts with the nose.
They are masks that appear in circumcision ceremonies, initiations and funerals. His effigy is represented on most of the shields carried by members of his secret society.
The male mask represents strength, power and female fertility.
Male mask that respects all ethnic constants. Alternance of dark brown polychrome bandas with lighter ones. This mask is covered by members of the secret society Bwadi. Great bump of the crest and mouth, characteristics of the ethnic group.
Further technical information
- Attributed period
- First third 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.
