Mask - Congo (No reserve price)

Kilume Mask - Songye - DRC Zaire - African Masks

Bifwebe masks (kifwebe in the singular) are part of the ceremonial objects of the society of the same name (bwadi ka kifwebe), which still today plays a prestigious role among the Songye of the East.

The members of this society are the basha masende, custodians of the knowledge necessary to interact with the gods.

The bifwebe masks are worn with a long costume and a long beard of plant fiber, during the most important ceremonies.

The female mask, which, unlike the male one, the kilume (plural bilume), lacks a crest on the top of the head and features fine incisions painted white on the face.