African Arts Gallery

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 mapikodances and ngoma ceremonies which educate young people about the demands of marriage and family life, the Makonde also produce body masks featuring the bust such as this copy from the Mercier collection.
Young Makonde boys and girls must undergo a prison war of about six months, during which they are taught songs, dances and practical activities. The rules of adult life, sex life and the obligations of marriage are discussed. This initiation ended with festive ceremonies featuring male dancers midimu ...

Ex-collection french african tribal art.

Evoking a human silhouette, this pipe decorated with patterns in relief belonged to a notable makonde. Its fist presents a lustrous patina due to use, while indigenous restorations remain perceptible. A similar example appears on page 202 of "L'Art tribal d'Afrique noire" by J.B. Bacquart (ed. Assouline). Desiccation cracks. Beautiful warm brown satin patina.
The Makonde people of northern Mozambique and southern Tanzania wore masks called lipiko during initiation ceremonies for young people. The Makonde venerate an ancestor, which explains the abundance of naturalist female statuary. In addition to the facial masks worn during mapiko dances and ngoma ceremonies that instruct young people about the requirements of marriage and ...

Prolific African art of the Makonde
Statuette with a realistic face, rounded, on which is represented a labret that deformed the upper lip. The tattoos of the face were traced with beeswax, and scarified patterns were also printed for aesthetic purposes. This statue symbolizing an ancestor refers to the creation, according to which the first makonde man would have carved a feminine image that became the mother of his children and is venerated since. Brown patina, mahogany reflections, erosions.
The Makonde, a matrilineal Bantu population from northern Mozambique and southern Tanzania, wore masks called lipiko, mapiko , during initiation ceremonies for young people. The Makonde venerate an ancestor, which explains the abundance of relatively naturalist female statuary. ...

Incarnating the spirit of an ancestor, this African cephalomorphic Makonde helmet mask borrows a figurative style. 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. On some of these masks, the implantation of human hair, as in the Tiv, helped to reinforce the realistic character. The thick protruding lips revealing ritually incised teeth remain a singularity unique to Makonde's statuary. Velvet patina, abraded locally.
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 ...

Ex-Belgian 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 incised in the wood in connection with traditional scarifications. The thick lips protruding incised teeth remain a singularity unique to Makonde statuary. Garnet red coat, lines with burgundy brown pigments. From the wicker fills the contours of the base of the mask, also marked with a crack. Glossy surface. 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 ...

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 ...