African Arts Gallery

African mask of initiation to the Bwami, supposed to indicate the acquisition of a certain wisdom and individual morality. The flat surface, whose main element resides in a raffia beard springing from the mouth, bears minimalist features composed of linear reliefs. Height on base: 43 cm. Small chips, abrasions.
Within the Léga established on the west bank of the Lualaba River, in the DRC, the Bwami society open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. The role of chief, kindi, is held by the oldest man of the clan, who must be the highest ranking. As in other forest tribes, the men hunt and clear land while the women cultivate cassava. Social recognition and authority also had to be earned individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), good character, intelligence, and impeccable behavior. During ritual ceremonies, the collectively owned Idumu masks were presented to the initiates placed on a barrier and surrounded by smaller individual masks.