Dance mask - Congo

Ancient Warrior Mask EX: Zaire. today (DRC)
The esprinature, the ngesh, were supposed to incarnate in Kuba masks during the dances. The dancers' footprints were then erased in order not to "hurt" women venturing onto the dance area. The mask pictured here appeared during initiation ceremonies, sometimes at the funerals of notable people. This warrior mask, not belonging to the royal masks, named Ishyeen imaalu and also Pwoom itok, belonged to the Babende society. It features elongated conical pupils emphasized by pierced eyebrows that refer to the warriors.
The eyes are a homage to that of the chameleon....
There are also traces of kaolin