Lega Muminia mask
Bwami initiation in African art
The Lega are an ethnic group from eastern Congolese distributed in forest areas and more sparse areas. Their socio-cultural base is centered around the Bwami, the initiatory society which inculcates in young people values, good behavior and which governs the Lega company. To do this, the members of the Bwami are distributed according to ranks accessible to men and women.
For teaching, many objects are involved including masks and statuettes loaded with meaning transmitted by means of aphorism, the equivalent of fables whose meaning is clarified by the teacher.
Most of the traditional Lega masks were not worn on the face but rather placed on panels or used by hand. As can be seen in the photos, however, there are masks placed on the head on very specific occasions. The function of the masks is mainly to mark the rank of their owners by indicating the rank of the Bwami to which they belong.
Here it is a muminia type mask.
To know more :
Lega. Ethics and beauty in the heart of Africa, D. BIEBUYCK
Secrets d'ivoire - the art of the Lega of Central Africa, Musée du quai Branly
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Data sheet
- Size
- 26 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, kaolin
- Country
- Condition
- Excellent
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Bwami initiation in African art
The Lega are an ethnic group from eastern Congolese distributed in forest areas and more sparse areas. Their socio-cultural base is centered around the Bwami, the initiatory society which inculcates in young people values, good behavior and which governs the Lega company. To do this, the members of the Bwami are distributed according to ranks accessible to men and women.
For teaching, many objects are involved including masks and statuettes loaded with meaning transmitted by means of aphorism, the equivalent of fables whose meaning is clarified by the teacher.
Most of the traditional Lega masks were not worn on the face but rather placed on panels or used by hand. As can be seen in the photos, however, there are masks placed on the head on very specific occasions. The function of the masks is mainly to mark the rank of their owners by indicating the rank of the Bwami to which they belong.
Here it is a muminia type mask.
To know more :
Lega. Ethics and beauty in the heart of Africa, D. BIEBUYCK
Secrets d'ivoire - the art of the Lega of Central Africa, Musée du quai Branly