1950s Zaire Luba Carved Wooden Famine Mask

Item Details

A 1950s Zaire Luba carved wooden famine mask. The round mask is in a hard-grained light wood and is characterized by curving linear pattern with a raised and flattened crest to the center and open crescent-shaped eyes. During the first two decades of the twentieth century, the kifwebe masking tradition spread throughout the Luba and Songye regions of southwest Democratic Republic of Congo. They were worn in male/female pairs for royal ceremonies, on the night of the new moon when ancestors are honored, and during initiation and funeral ceremonies. The masks also are perceived as having healing abilities. This mask was purchased from Demba Saccoh.

Dimensions

Item #

17CIN483-067