These mask is from people of Ituri were worn by the man charged with instruction and circumcision and in feasts following young mens’ period of seclusion. Height : 32 x 31cm Material : Wood , Pigment , other Provenance : Private Collection Estimated age : Early 20th century
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…
Songye panel with Named after the men’s society and its mask, Kifwebe controlled the behavior of women and children and collected and redistributed wealth.