African Arts Gallery

br>This reduced format mask refers to the mask Kiwoyo of the Eastern Pende, Giwoyo among those of the Center. Originally associated with the deceased lying on his couch, he is associated with funeral rituals. The greenish face is extended by a vertical chin strap lined with raffia.

Nowadays he participates in peaceful and festive ceremonies.
The Western Pende live on the banks of the Kwilu, while the Eastern settled on the banks of the Kasaï downstream from Tshikapa. The influences of neighboring ethnic groups, Mbla, Suku, Wongo, Leele, Kuba and Salempasu imprinted on their large tribal art sculpture. Within this diversity, the Mbuya masks, realistic, produced every ten years, take on a festive function, and embody different characters, including the chief, the diviner 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 and circumcision rituals mukanda, enthronement of the chief. Polychrome matte patina.
Source: Kerchache