Mbuya Gabuku mask
Pende · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Reference: MFANT-6
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- Height
- 31 cm
- Material
- Wood, fabric, raffia and pigments.
This mask is a female mask, representing the flirting of women. Gently hinted black eyebrows on a totally human black face. A frontal scarification formed by…
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Full original description
This mask is a female mask, representing the flirting of women. Gently hinted black eyebrows on a totally human black face. A frontal scarification formed by three concentric semircles. On the cheeks stand out a triangular scarifications forming drawing of rhombuses inside, separated by white ineas. The mouth, ajar, has sharp teeth in triangle. Ripped eyes that allow the vision of the carrier. Despite being a female mask it is manufactured and covered by men. Women are not allowed to attend their manufacture. In dances, this mascra represents different social categories. This female mask wears a raffia beard. The representation of a beard in many African female figures was a sign of respect.
Like all masks, it also participates in the "mukanda" or initiation of adolescents of the twelve to fourteen-year-old class
Further technical information
- Attributed period
- Mid-century XX or earlier.
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.
