A large ancient dance mask from the SUKUMA tribe of northern Tanzania. Mid 20th century. powerful expression The Sukuma are a Bantu ethnic group inhabiting the south-eastern African Great Lakes region in Tanzania. Sukuma means “north” and refers to “people of the north. Sukuma masks served various purposes in society,…
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…
The figure builds a bridge between the visible and the invisible, the sacred and the profane, the living and the dead, the traditional and the modern. It appeared at healing rituals and protected against illness or magic spells. Height : 46 x 14 cm Materials : Wood Provenance : Private…
Masks were used during Munkanda initiation rites for young boys and the Uyanga society, the men’s hunting association that instructed young boys in the hunt and also advanced men through a series of endurance tests. Other men’s asking societies appeared at funerals. Among the Chokwe dances are also the means…