Pende Mbuya Fumu Jia Kifutshi mask - SOLD OUT
Traditional art of the Western Pende
During the second half of the 20th century, mask releases gradually emptied of their symbolic content and became festive events whose only but important function was, and still remains, to demonstrate the cohesion and identity of a community.
Today, two types of African masks still dance among the Pende and stand out. In our case, this Mbuya jia kifutshi mask danced in the village during the reintegration of circumcised young people.
Most of the Mbuya are made of wood, carved in the so-called katundu style (actually gatundo), named after one of the important central Pende chiefdoms, of which the towns of Nyoka-Munene and Musanga-Lubwé were the most important sites during the 20th century. main artistic centers.
This mask wears a hairstyle spiked with spikes that evokes the ancient black raffia headgear once worn by Pende chiefs and their notables.
This is a piece from an important Flemish collection of African art.
00989
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- +/- 35 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, raphia
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
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Traditional art of the Western Pende
During the second half of the 20th century, mask releases gradually emptied of their symbolic content and became festive events whose only but important function was, and still remains, to demonstrate the cohesion and identity of a community.
Today, two types of African masks still dance among the Pende and stand out. In our case, this Mbuya jia kifutshi mask danced in the village during the reintegration of circumcised young people.
Most of the Mbuya are made of wood, carved in the so-called katundu style (actually gatundo), named after one of the important central Pende chiefdoms, of which the towns of Nyoka-Munene and Musanga-Lubwé were the most important sites during the 20th century. main artistic centers.
This mask wears a hairstyle spiked with spikes that evokes the ancient black raffia headgear once worn by Pende chiefs and their notables.
This is a piece from an important Flemish collection of African art.