This African mask forms one of the many variations of lega sculptures. A flat, oval-shaped structure bears the sculpted features of a face underlined by a dense raffia woven border. Beautiful golden honey patina, glossy, with kaolin residues. This African Lega mask is used during the initiation rites of the Bwami society. It is open to men and women. The passing of a grade indicated the acquisition of a certain individual wisdom and morality. Within the Lega, the Bwami society, open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. Following their exodus from Uganda during the 17th century, the Lega settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in the DRC. Also known as Warega, these individuals live in autonomous villages surrounded by palisades, usually on hilltops. The role of chief, Kindi, is held by the oldest man in the clan, who is expected to be the highest ranking member. As in other forest tribes, the men hunt and clear land while the women grow cassava. Social recognition and authority were also to be earned individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), good character, intelligence, and irreproachable behavior. In ritual ceremonies, Idumu masks were presented to initiates placed on a fence and surrounded by smaller masks.
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