Superb Kifwebe mask - Songye - DRC Congo (No reserve price)

Kifwebe mask - Songye - DRC Zaire - African Masks
The Bifwebe masks (kifwebe in the singular) are part of the ceremonial objects of the society of the same name (bwadi ka kifwebe), which still plays a prestigious role today among the Songyés of the East.

The members of this society are the basha masende, holders of the knowledge needed to interact with the gods.
Bifwebe masks are worn with a long costume and a long beard made of plant fiber, during the most important ceremonies.

The female mask, which, unlike the male one, the kilume (plural bilume), is without a crest at the top of the head and includes fine white-incised markings painted on the face.

The masks, the colors and the costumes have symbolic meaning.
Each part of the mask’s face is associated with a specific animal such as the lion, the zebra, the crocodile or the porcupine, whose mask imitates the behavior.

Moreover, the colors express various traits of character or dispositions of the spirit.
For example, white symbolizes positive aspects such as purity, peace, the moon and light; the color red is associated with blood, fire, courage and strength, but also with destruction and negative magic.

The stripes are a double meaning writing: the path or way of the dead awaiting rebirth, while the nose or vertical axis of the mask is the tree of life.

The mouth would be the beak of the bird or the sorcerer’s fire.

The mask has an imprécative function. According to the Songyés, one with full lips is supposed to speak loudly.

Fundamentally, the female masks reflect positive forces: they are worn during nocturnal dances, during the most important moon ceremonies, or on the occasion of an installation or the death of a chief.

The male masks, more colorful, dance by day