Lega Kayamba mask - Lega - DR Congo

The Lega are an ethnic group found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The art of the Lega people is mainly made for their semi-secret associations of men and women, such as the Bwami society of the Lega peoples. The teachings of Bwami are a cornerstone of all aspects of life, guiding the moral development of the individual and regulating relationships with others. The Bwami doctrine is represented by masks, heads, and small wooden and ivory figures, all of which play a vital role during initiation into the highest degrees of society. Lega masks refer to ancestors and are passed from one generation of initiates to the next as symbols of continuity. Lega masks were used for instruction and initiation ceremonies, ceremonial rituals across the different progressive levels of the Bwami society, the association through which Lega men rise with lifelong deeds and often learn through the hierarchy. These horned masks, known as Kayamba masks, are used only in a few regions of Lega country in the DRC—so they are rare masks. They typically belong to skilled teachers. They are used by men and women in ceremonies with singing, drama, etc. The following mask is made of light wood and has a brown patina and shows good signs of age and use.