African Arts Gallery

Wearing wicker balls and prolonged with a raffia goatee, this ceremonial African mask is linked to the society of warriors and initiation rites. It was also exhibited at funerals in connection with the deceased's previous initiations, and for payment in many cases. The power of some masks was also so feared that their name alone caused women and children to flee. These masks are distinguished by their bulbous forehead, wide nose and mouth revealing cut teeth. Dark satin patina, small erosions. Living from hunting and agriculture, warrior people, the Salampasu form a tribe of the Lulua group and are settled between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, east of the Kasai River. They are surrounded to the west and south of the Tschokwe and Lunda, and to the north and east of Kete and Lwalwa. A hierarchy of masks, simple wooden masks kasangu and copper-covered masks mukinka , was associated with the society of warriors mungongo (pl. bangongo). The wearing of these masks depended on a large contribution of livestock, beverages, or other material goods on the part of the aspirant who was introduced to esoteric knowledge on the part of other mask carriers. ( Africa , Prestel)