African Arts Gallery

African mask of initiation, Mbuya, with large notched eyelids, an upturned nose, and an open mouth with sharp teeth. It has a natural fiber cap. Height on base: 45 cm.
The Pende Westerners live on the banks of the Kwilu, while the Easterners have established themselves on the banks of the Kasai downstream of Tshikapa. The influences of the neighboringethnic groups, Mbla, Suku, Wongo, Leele, Kuba and Salempasu have been imprinted on their large sculpture of tribal art. Within this diversity the realistic Mbuya masks, produced every ten years, have a festive function, and embody different characters difficult to differentiate without their costume, including the fumu chief. > or ufumu, the soothsayer and his wife, the prostitute, the jester, tundu, the possessed, etc... Mbuya initiation masks linked to initiation mukanda and those of power, the minganji, represent the ancestors and occur successively during the same ceremonies, agricultural festivals, initiation and mukanda circumcision rituals , induction of the leader. (Art and Life in Africa, C.D. Roy; “Pende” Strother)