Initiation mask. - Kifwebe. - Songye - DR Congo

Members of the Kikwebe mask society are the Basha Masende, holders of the knowledge necessary to communicate with spirits and deities. These masks are worn with a long costume and a long beard made of vegetal fibre; the female mask which, unlike the man’s, the kilume — in the plural bilume — is devoid of a crest at the top of the head.
The black and light bands form a double meaning inscription: the path or road of the dead awaiting rebirth, while the nose or the vertical axis of it is the tree of life. The mouth would be the beak of the bird or the sorcerer’s fire.
D'après "L'art Africain" Chez Mazenod.
Patine sèche d'usage.
Notons une fissure de dessication verticale au bas du masque
Hauteur 31 cm x largeur 19 cm X profondeur 8 cm Poids 460 g.
Envoi en Colissimo recommandé.