African Arts Gallery

Regular features for this naturalistic Mask of Pende offering sober keloid motifs on the cheeks. Symmetry and softness are indeed unusual for a Pende mask linked to the ceremonies of the mukanda. Medium brown patina, partially abraded. A woolly hood covers the back part.
The seed live on the banks of the Kwilu, while the have 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, have 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. Governed by heads of family, the jogo, , priestly, Pende have sculptures designed to get in touch with the ancestors, to which sacrifices are offered. They are stored in a room or house adjoining the chief's room.
Source: Kerchache, African art.