These masks have been renamed mwisi gwa so’o, to express the idea that a chimpanzee spirit would embody Hemb’s.
A Hemba Mask ( Ibombo ya Soyo)
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Description
The Hemba, who are part of the Luba ethnic group and live in the southeast of the D.R. Congo, are known for their statuary representing chiefs. The pieces called soko mutu, suku muntu, or ibombo ya soho in KiHemba, were used in ancestor worship and existed in two forms.
There were large masks used during ritual dances, as well as small masks or statues offered as gifts and hung in houses as protective amulets. Recently, these masks have been renamed mwisi gwa so’o, to express the idea that a chimpanzee spirit would embody them. The asymmetrical and split eyes are separated by a ribbed nasal appendage that extends the eyebrow ridge. A wide slit, following the contours of the jaw, evokes a smile. Anointment rituals have given the wood a granular and velvety texture to the touch. There are slight traces of wear on the edges at the back of the mask.
- Tribe : Hemba
- Country : Congo-Zaire
- Provenance: Private Collection
- Height : 28×16
- Estimated age : 20th Century
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