African Arts Gallery

A hollowed-out gaze deeply recessed under a spherical forehead, a thick nose and sharp teeth distinguish this Mukinka mask from the Salampasu. Copper plates, joined by metal clasps, cover the face.
This ceremonial mask related to the warrior society was displayed at funerals in connection with the deceased's previous initiations. It also participated in initiation rites. Some of these masks were so feared that their name alone would scare away women and children.
Height including beard: 68 cm. Living from hunting and agriculture, warlike 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 by the Tschokwe and Lunda, and to the north and east by the Kete and Lwalwa. A hierarchy of masks, simple wooden masks kasangu and copper-covered masks mukinka, was associated with the warrior society mungongo (pl. bangongo ). The wearing of these masks depended on a large contribution of livestock, drink, or other material goods from the aspirant who was initiated into esoteric knowledge from other mask wearers. (Africa, Prestel)