This Pende mask called Mbangu, represents a bewitched man, struck by a series of diseases or curses that wizards have inflicted on him. Height : 30 x 23 cm Materials : Wood, Rafia , Pigment Provenance : Private Collection Estimated age : Mid 20th Century
These masks were worn by members of the powerful “Ibuku” society. The fearless “buku” required initiates to produce the head of an enemy or individually kill a lion or leopard. Masks were also used to evoke ancestor spirits and frighten the enemy in battle. Height : 42 x 25 cm…
For the Songye, the term kifwebe generically means mask. This designation, kifwebe, was used for the first time in 1905-1906 . The first cults of kifwebe masks began at the turn of the 20th century. this mask became an instrument of social power , color of this mask are symbolic…
Bwami Society only Men in culture enter the centuries old Bwami society to learn skills and wisdom for life that are taught to initiates through art. Height : 26x13cm Material : Wood , Pigment , Rafia Provenace : Collected Bukavu ( Congo) 1969 , Private Collection Estimated Age : 20th…