African Arts Gallery

Ceremonial mask related to the society of warriors and initiation rites, it was also exhibited at funerals, in connection with the previous initiations of the deceased, and for remuneration in many cases. The power of some masks is also so feared that their name alone can cause women and children to flee. These masks are distinguished by their bulbous forehead, wide nose and mouth revealing cut teeth. Grey-brown velvety patina, locally abraded.
Shunting and farming, warrior people, the Salampasu form a tribe of the Lulua group and are settled between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, east of the Kasai River. They are surrounded to the west and south of the Tschokwe and Lunda, and to the north and east of Kete and Lwalwa. A hierarchy of masks, simple wooden masks kasangu and copper-covered masks mukinka , was associated with the society of warriors mungongo (pl. bangongo). The wearing of these masks depended on a large contribution of livestock, beverages, or other material goods on the part of the aspirant who was introduced to esoteric knowledge on the part of other mask carriers. ( Africa , Prestel)