African Arts Gallery

Pende Mask (N° 14263)

The Western Pende live on the banks of the Kwilu, while the eastern settled on the banks of the Kasai river downstream of Tshikapa. The influences of the neighbouring ethnic groups, Mbla, Suku, Wongo, Leele, Kuba and Salempasu, were imprinted on their large tribal art sculpture. Within this diversity the masks Mbuya , realistic, produced every ten years, take on a festive function, and embody different characters, including the chef, the soothsayer and his wife, the prostitute, the possessed, etc. The masks of initiation and those of power, the minganji, represent the ancestors and occur successively during the same ceremonies, agricultural festivals, initiation rituals and circumcision mukanda, induction of the chief. The Kipoko mask (also known as Mukishi wa Mutsue or Mbundju) is a leader's mask associated with joy and thanksgiving. It is also used to close the initiation ceremonies: each young initiate has to swallow a food placed on Kipoko's circular chin strap while holding it by the ears. ("Pende", Strother) This copy features elements reminiscent of the Kipoko mask, including the hairstyle, chin strap, protruding ears with white pigments. It is arranged in angular volumes. The front line, in "V", is also a specificity of the masks of the Centre's Pende. It joins a nasal appendage whose flat end is pierced with holes for the nostrils. The conical mouth forms the center of a double ribbed line over looking over the chin strap adorned with triangles.