African Arts Gallery

This African mask with an imprecative function, whose large volumes are marked with a network of bleached grooves, would be feminine. To the different areas of this type of mask (including the beard, the costume and the body of the wearer) is attached a particular symbolism: the mouth, for example, would embody the beak of a bird and the fire of the sorcerer. Matt patina, gaps and desication cracks.
Three types of African art "Kifwebe" mask (or mask in Songye) are listed: the masculine (kilume) generally with a high crest, the feminine (kikashi) would present a more modest or even absent crest , and finally the greatest embodying power (kia ndoshi). The Songye sculptor had a high status within the bwadi society and also produced various ceremonial objects, but also for daily use, cups, mortars, canes, etc... Also practiced by the Luba, the cult bwadi bwa kifwebe ("mask" in Songye) acted as a secret police in favor of power, so as to control individuals through magic. Worn with a suit and a long beard made of natural fibers, the Kifwebe masks also appeared during crucial stages of initiation ceremonies, at the new moon. The novice had to pass between the legs of the masked initiator of the male kifwebe. A coded language used by society was then taught to him. Each of the kifwebe lodges could not have more than seven masks, a symbolic number among the Songye.
"Initiates, Congo Basin" ed. Dapper Museum; "African Art" ed. Mazenod.