African Arts Gallery

African mask Lele whose fine, carefully detailed features, crowned by a chiselled hairstyle, spring from an almost flat surface. The mask is extended by a quilted structure in wickerwork and raffia whose ribbons come back around the face. Slight lack. Glossy black patina.
The Lélé, close to the Tschokwe and the Pende, live in the west of the Kuba kingdom and share common cultural specificities with the Bushoong of the Kuba country. Both groups adorn their prestige objects with similar motifs. Their society headed by a "nymi" king, includes three classes, that of the Tundu or warlords, the Batshwa ("those who reject the Tundu authority") and the Wongo called by the name of the neighboring ethnic group. The ritual ceremonies are under the authority of the oldest, chiefs of each village who hold the secrets of medicinal plants. These elders once formed, with the parents of twins, spiritual intermediaries, the bangang brotherhood responsible for the initiation of young people. The sculptor is in charge of extracting the palm wine, he also weaves the raffia. It produces the ritual cups in which the palm wine is consumed to conclude an agreement.
Source: "Kuba", ed. 5continents, Binkley and Darish, "African art", Mazenod.