Luba Kifwebe mask
The masks of Bwadi bwa Kifwebe in African art
This African wooden mask covered with a thick kaolin patina comes from the region of Manono, among the eastern Luba in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It was worn by a member of the male society Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe responsible for maintaining social and moral order. His initiates used buchi witchcraft and masende magic for this purpose. It was in order to bestow these powers on them that kifwebe masks (literally meaning "mask") were worn during dances.
These traditional masks were also danced during funeral rites and as part of the initiation of young men. They are found not only among the Luba but also among the Songye and Kalebwe. Each region has its own stylistic codes, so that there is a great diversity of kifwebe masks which have naturally been the subject of publications such as Kifwebe: A Century of Songye and Luba Masks / Kifwebe: Un siècle de masques songye et luba, F. NEYT, 2019.
01506
Data sheet
- Size
- 28 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, kaolin
- Country
- Condition
- Excellent
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The masks of Bwadi bwa Kifwebe in African art
This African wooden mask covered with a thick kaolin patina comes from the region of Manono, among the eastern Luba in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It was worn by a member of the male society Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe responsible for maintaining social and moral order. His initiates used buchi witchcraft and masende magic for this purpose. It was in order to bestow these powers on them that kifwebe masks (literally meaning "mask") were worn during dances.
These traditional masks were also danced during funeral rites and as part of the initiation of young men. They are found not only among the Luba but also among the Songye and Kalebwe. Each region has its own stylistic codes, so that there is a great diversity of kifwebe masks which have naturally been the subject of publications such as Kifwebe: A Century of Songye and Luba Masks / Kifwebe: Un siècle de masques songye et luba, F. NEYT, 2019.