Salampasu

The Salampasu belong to the Bena group Luluamainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. Its name means “crayfish hunters.” Contrary to this peaceful name the salampasu were a people of warriors and hunters who terrorized their neighbors, they have a reputation for having sid head cutters in other times. Structured in social classes, along with the bosses, to whom their masks belong. These masks participate in the various initiatory rites and commemorative ceremonies organized by the different societies of masks. Masks are the most important thing in salampasu art, as statues and other ritual objects are scarce. Its masks are characterized by a bulging forehead, oblique eyes, triangular nose and rectangular mouth. They are designed to impress and cause fear to outsiders and women. They're afraid that the sight of the mask can cause death. There are three types of masks that correspond to your three social classes: The secret society ibuku represents the warriors who have died in battle. Masks are involved in circumcision rites aimed at providing a war training for children. After the initiation, within Mukanda society, they could wear the masks. They have good trade relations with their neighbors the Tchokwe and the Lunda to those who pay a tribute and those who have received the influence for the manufacture of masks coated with copper plates.. They are distributed in towns or comarcas headed by chiefs, with the rank of territorial or regional chief being higher. Many men are part of the warrior society that controls the power of the bosses.