African Arts Gallery

This African mask was used during the tribal ritual of the male society Kalunga, Alunga, exercising social control over the clan, and responsible for public dances and pre-hunting ceremonies. A mask embodying the god Alunga, it has four large concave orbits with a conical pupil in relief. Between the orbits a circular opening is the mouth. Evocation of a spirit of the forest, this mask was preserved in sacred caves and it was during the festivals associated with hunting and the cults of ancestors that it was exhibited. Masks of the same type also appeared during the circumcision ceremonies of the Bwami . Patina polychrome mate.
The Bembe is a Luba branch line that is believed to have left Congo in the 18th century. Their society and artistic tendency are influenced by their ...

Collection of African Belgian art.
This Yaka Kholuka mask, said of circumcision and initiation of young boys, marks the end of the period of confinement. These African masks represent various degrees of the hierarchy of initiates, and as the personal imagination can express itself freely in them, they are very varied. The set is well preserved. The representation of the upturned nose is quite characteristic of the Yaka ethnic group. The headdress is emblematic of the ethnic group. Yaka society is extremely hierarchical and authoritarian. The head of lineage indeed has the right of life and death over his subjects. As often, the artistic movement of the ethnic group was influenced by neighboring populations. For the Yaka, the influence comes mainly from the Suku and Kongo ethnic ...

Ex-French collection of African art .
African mask with an animal character used during specific dances. Its zoomorphic character evokes the spirits of the forest. Abraded two-tone patina, desiccation crack. Height on base: 74 cm.
A tribe of the Kota group, the Kwélé, Bakwélé, live in the forest on the northern border of the Republic of Congo. They live from hunting, agriculture and metallurgy. Practicing the cult called Bwété borrowed from the Ngwyes, which was accompanied by obligatory initiation rites, they used at the end of the ceremonies the ekuk masks evoking the antelope whose horns join in a loop under the chin. The blood of the antelope was also used by the Kwélé for therapeutic purposes. They produce rare statues linked to the initiation rites of young people.

From a wickerwork base rises a carved wooden subject stretched with leather. The headdress is made of human hair, the teeth of metal. The dancer's costume was made of a large lattice of raffia cords, and, more recently, of cotton fabric. The masks were coated with palm oil before use, and placed in daylight so that their leather would soften and adopt a satisfactory luster. Leopard societies, such as the male society Kpe, Ngbe among the Aro, used this model of crests for initiation ceremonies or funerals of members of the association, but also during agricultural rituals. This type of African cephalomorphic mask, which would originally represent the trophy head of an enemy, is found among the Efik, the Keaka, the Banyang, the Boki, Ibibio, etc. These African masks were originally ...

French collection of African art, the name of the collector will be communicated to the purchaser.
In primitive art, this tribal mask from Gabon was linked to the country's various secret societies, such as the Bwiti, the Bwete, and the Mwiri ("to lead"). The latter included several levels of initiation and was composed of all Punu men, its emblem being the caiman. Unlike the Tsogo, the Punu did not use any masks during Bwiti rituals. These powerful secret societies, which also had a judicial role, were marked by several dances, including the leopard dance, the Esomba, the Mukuyi, and the Okuyi dance, performed on stilts, which remained the most popular. This facial mask, whitened with kaolin and representing a deceased woman, was worn during the dance called Okuyi.

Influenced by Kongo culture, the Punu and Lumbu sculpted African masks coated with white kaolin such as this example of the Punu style topped with a double central shell. Female mask, its facial decorations refer to the scarifications in use. Erosions, colored highlights.
The white African masks of Gabon, itengi, (pl. bitengi) were associated with the various secret societies of Gabon, including the Bwiti, Bwete, and the Mwiri ("to lead" ), the latter spanning several levels of initiation, to which all Punu men belonged. In some villages, at dawn or dusk, the Okuyi dance was accompanied by songs in an esoteric language that only initiates could understand. (Punu, L. Perrois and C. Grand-Dufay)

African Art Songye
The African initiation masks of the Songye .
In the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo, this type of female mask "kalyanga" which offers finely striated planes accentuating its volumes, is still worn today with a long costume and a long beard of natural fibers, during masked rituals. Matte patina, minor abrasions and desiccation cracks.
Height on base: 60 cm. Three variants of this type of Kifwebe mask (pl. Bifwebe) or "hunting death" (Roberts) can be distinguished: the masculine (kilume) generally with a high crest, the feminine (kikashi) with a very low crest or even absent, and finally the largest embodying power (kia ndoshi). The Songye came from the Shaba region in the DRC and settled along the Lualaba River. They are governed by the yakitengé ...

African mask quite similar to the "Déanglé", haloed with a bead of fabric covered with rope. The gaze is underlined, the projecting mouth reveals the teeth. Irregular surface, velvety patina, kaolin residue.
It was following dreams in which the spirits would manifest themselves that the masks were sculpted according to precise indications, in order to be honored through their appearances.
The Dan masks, of various designs, generally occur during very theatrical entertainment parties where women play a preponderant role. The so-called "mocking" mask called Déanglé defines an ideal of beauty and benevolence because it is sculpted in honor of the young girls of the village or famous men. Each of the masks had a name related to its function. Also used during circumcision rites, ...

Ex. French collection of African art . Copy of the African Dan mask decorated with raffia fibers, offering a mirror patina of a deep burgundy brown.
The masks equipped with round eye sockets (called gunyeya or gunye ge ), facilitating vision, are part of the set of masks of the northern Dan and are used for racing events during the dry season. The zapkei ge

French collection of African tribal art .
This small-format ancient African mask refers to the antelope rooster. The horns curved backwards recall the walu, an animal linked to the Dogon cosmogony. Beautiful dry abraded patina, kaolin prints. Minor desiccation cracks.
Alongside Islam, Dogon religious rites are organized around four main cults: the Lébé, relating to fertility, the Wagem, ancestor worship under the authority of the patriarch, the Binou invoking the spirit world, and the Awa mask society concerning funerals. The "dama" is a ceremony dedicated to restoring the order of things following a bereavement. It was originally to protect themselves from the " nyama " (the soul) of the victim that the Dogon carved a mask in the image of an animal. Guaranteer of order, the ...

Belgian collection of African art
This African Lega mask , with traditional characteristics, symbolized the level reached by its owner within the Bwami, an initiation society composed of several grades, which were joined by the wives of men who had reached the third degree, that of the ngandu.
The Bwami society, which was open to both men and women, governed the social and political aspects of the community. It had up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with a specific emblem. After their migration from Uganda in the 17th century, the Lega settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also called Warega, they live in autonomous villages, generally perched on hilltops and protected by palisades. The role of chief, or kindi, ...

Ex. Belgian collection of African art.
African mask of initiation of the Lega or even the Leka, whose society, the Bukota, welcoming both men and women, is the equivalent of the Bwami association of the Lega. Their masks are quite similar, but are distinguished by their mouth and sometimes also their square or rectangular eyes.br>
Black glossy patina encrusted with white clay.
Height on base: 33 cm.
The sculptures of the Leka, subject to the influence of the neighboring Mbole, Lega and Binja, played a role during initiation, funeral or circumcision ceremonies, and were then placed on the tomb of high-ranking initiates. Each of these figures had a name and a meaning with an educational purpose, like the Lega traditions.

French collection of African art
This African mask with cubist volumes is engraved with parallel stripes coated with white pigment. The bridge of the nose, flat and colored black, continues towards the skull. The half-closed eyelid slits are also extended in black towards the temples. A parallelepiped mouth juts out, forming a whisper calling for the silence of the initiated. A black band forms the chin, holes have been made around the edge to attach the raffia collar. There are some missing parts, at the back of the object and on one of the upper eyelids. Matte, dry and velvety patina. Object sold with its base. Three types of African Kifwebe art mask are listed: the masculine (kilume) generally with a high crest, the feminine (kikashi) would have a more modest crest or even ...

African mask Lega indicating the stage that its holder had reached within the Bwami, a learning society composed of different grades, and which was joined by wives whose husbands had reached the third level, that of ngandu.
Within the Lega, the Bwami society, open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. Following Social recognition and authority also had to be earned individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), good character, intelligence, and impeccable behavior. During ritual ceremonies, the Idumu masks, collectively owned, were presented to the initiates placed on a barrier and surrounded by individual masks of ...

African zoomorphic masks.
Polychrome animal mask of the kifwebe depicting a sacrificial animal, the rooster. Erosions.
In the south-eastern region of Katanga, from the 1960s, the Zela, long subject to the Lubas whose customs and rites they borrowed, carved animal masks , like the Lubas and the Kundas. In 1970, in fact, the kifwebe company underwent a transformation which was accompanied by new masks. In the Zela and Kundas groups, however, this type of mask was manifested during secular theatrical ceremonies involving tales. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and make ...

African mask of initiation to the Bwami, supposed to indicate the acquisition of a certain wisdom and individual morality. The flat surface, whose main element resides in a raffia beard springing from the mouth, bears minimalist features composed of linear reliefs. Height on base: 43 cm. Small chips, abrasions.
Within the Léga established on the west bank of the Lualaba River, in the DRC, the Bwami society open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. The role of chief, kindi, is held by the oldest man of the clan, who must be the highest ranking. As in other forest tribes, the men hunt and clear land while the women cultivate cassava. Social recognition and authority also had to be earned ...

Belgian collection of African art. Handled during rituals, or worn as an amulet, this ancient African Lega mask accompanied by feline fur indicated the stage that its holder had reached within the Bwami, a learning society composed of different grades. Height on base: 24 cm. Within the Lega, the Bwami society open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. Following Social recognition and authority also had to be earned individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), a good character, his intelligence, and irreproachable behavior. During ritual ceremonies, the Idumu masks, collectively owned, were presented to the initiates placed on a barrier and surrounded by individual masks of a ...

Animal masks and African decoration.
African mask named vaca bruto   in Creole, provided with real horns, and coming from the Bidjogo , established in the Bissagos archipelago made up of around thirty islands located off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. The mask is worn before or at the end of initiation ceremonies, by a young “cabaro” initiate, who will bend and rear up, conveying the idea of a young animal that is vigorous but still untamed, and the need to go through the initiatory process in order to acquire discipline and mastery.
Minor abrasions and desiccation cracks. Matte patina.

Belgian African art collection.
African mask appearing in Tanzania during the dance ceremonies of the dry season. Geometric lines accentuated by linear scarifications. Reddish matte patina, erosions. Height with base: 39 cm.
The Luo, Kuria, Haya and Ziba, the Kéréwé, Karagwé, Sukuma and Nyamézi are established in the central western and central region of Tanzania. Along the shores of Lakes Tanganyika and Nyasa, and Lake Nyassa, the Ha, Jiji, Bendé, Tongwé, Holoholo, Fipa, Manbwé, Kondé, Kisi and Ngoni produced figurative statues, terracotta sculptures and inset masks of teeth.

African mask associated with dry season dance ceremonies in Tanzania. Linear scarifications divide the face of which the amplitude of the jaw forms a particularity. Thin sticks represent the teeth in the hollowed-out mouth in a rectangle. Remains of a headdress at the top. Velvety gray patina, erosions. Satin patina.
In the southern coastal region of Tanzania, around Dar-es-Salaam, a relatively homogeneous group produced most of the artistic productions. It includes the Swahili, Kaguru, Doé, Kwéré, Luguru, Zaramo, Kami. The second region is made up of a territory covering southern Tanzania to Mozambique, where some Makonde and the Yao, the Ngindo, Mwéra, and Makua live. In the North-East of Tanzania, the Chaga, Paré, Chamba, Zigua, Massaï, Iraqw, Gogo, and Héhé have an artistic ...

Ex-Belgian collection of African tribal art In use within clans living in the north of the Ituri region by the society of Nkunda diviners, this African mask called Nsembu is produced in male-female pairs. Pastillage refers to the animal world and the patterns that adorn bodies during initiatory rites.

Matte patina. Abrasions. Height on base: 52 cm.
The Kumu, Bakumu, Komo, live mainly in the North-East and the center in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their Bantu language is komo or kikomo. Several ethnic groups are closely intertwined, with similar associations: the Mbole, the Yela, the Lengola, and the Metoko. Their artistic production also presents great similarities with that of the Metoko and Lengola. Their divination masks were exhibited during the closing ...