African Arts Gallery

Lengola Mask (N° 18247)

This african mask of flat structure, plychrome, was part of an ensemble held by high-ranking members of the Bukota hierarchical society. Patina matte abrased.
This ritual mask comes from the Lengola from Uganda and living near the Metoko in the center of the Congolese basin between the Lomami and Lualaba rivers, a people of the primary forest dedicated to the worship of a unique God, a monotheism rare in Africa. In addition to the company Lilwa , their company , the Bukota, welcoming both men and women, is the equivalent of the association Bwami Lega. Their sculptures, influenced by the neighbouring Mbole, Lega and Binja, played a role in initiation, funeral or circumcision ceremonies, and were then placed on the tomb of high-ranking initiates. Each of these figures had an educational name and meaning, just like the Lega traditions. The mythical ancestor Suway appears at the closing of the funeral in the form of the sculpted figure Ubanga Nyama . Height on pedestal: 46 cm