Walking stick - Wood - Chokwe mask

The Chokwe (or Tschokwe or Chokwe) are a Central and Southern African people, mainly present in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Angola, and to a lesser extent in Zambia. A few thousand also live in Namibia. The Cihongo mask is the male version of the Mwana Pwo mask. The style similarities are evident in the treatment of facial features: the large prominent forehead, free and marked with the St. Andrew’s cross, ears sometimes adorned with metal hoops, half-closed eyes and the “tears” marks, the same shape of the nose, and the pointed-tooth mouth highlighted. The Cihongo represents a male spirit evoking power and wealth. It is the spirit of a notable who must bring prosperity to the village and dispense justice. In the past, only the chief or the chief’s son could wear the Cihongo. These masks are topped with a headdress shaped like a fan, adorned with feathers. The dancer carried rattles to tempo his dance. His costume consisted of a knitted raffia jumpsuit with long sleeves and stockings. Over it, a skirt made of fibers pulsed with his movements. He performed dance tours and, just like the Pwo mask, he collected numerous gifts from the villagers.