African Arts Gallery

Ex-French African art collection.
The shapes and proportions of this African cephalomorphic Makonde mask embodying an ancestral spirit reflect a desire for realism. The ancestors would return masked to mark their satisfaction following the initiation. Some of these masks have wax tattoos or scarifications incised in the wood. The implantation of human hair, as in the Tiv, helps to reinforce the realistic character of the mask. The thick protruding lips revealing ritually incised teeth remain a singularity unique to Makonde's statuary. Garnet red, features with black pigments. Desication crack at the base. The Makonde of northern Mozambique and southern Tanzania wore helmet masks called lipiko during initiation ceremonies for young people. The Makonde venerate an ancestor, which explains the abundance of a naturalistic female statuary. In addition to the face masks worn during the dances mapiko and ceremonies ngoma which educate young people about the demands of marriage and family life. the Makondes also produce body masks featuring the female bust.