Songye Male Kifwebe AFRICAN Mask - DROC

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Songye Male Kifwebe AFRICAN Mask - DROC:
$1500.00

Songye Male Kifwebe Mask - DROC

The Songye are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo(Zaire) and live along the Lualaba River. They are a patriarchal society. The Kifwebe masks were made for the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe association, atype of policing society that provides a means of controlling social behaviorand neutralizing disruptive elements within the group. These masks appeared atthe installation and death of a chief, and at the initiation rites of young menas well as a whole range of occasions that included punishments, warfare andpublic works. Kifwebe masks and not related to festive celebrations. The male masks are aggressive in their general appearance as well asin their comportment during their performances and village visits. Ithas a sagittal ridge across the top of the mask that runs to the nose and therarer female mask does not. This mask are worn with a grass or reed woven skirtthat appears like a long beard. The dancer’s legs are wrapped in woven grassleggings. These masks have geometrical striating channels carved into them thatrepresent designs and patterns seen in dangerous or feared animals. Particulardesigns in the individual mask can also show which Songye group it came from.

This fine example measures 14.5 inches tall and 8 incheswide.