Lega Lukungu mask
Bwami: art at the service of meaning
Belgian african art collector
This exceptional African mask comes from the Shabunda region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This rare piece has two levels of meaning. On the one hand, it is a lukungu mask used as part of the bwami, an individual mask marking the rank of the lutumbo lwa kindi who owns it. It was never worn on the face or body and only came out during Kindi initiations. On the death of an initiate, the lukungu was placed on the grave, and then passed to a nephew entitled to inherit it. This type of mask was never handled by women.
In its very design, this mask then has another level of meaning: sculpted in a turtle shell, it carries within it this totemic animal, called nkulu or kikulu, admired by the Lega for its slow and careful movements. They are considered to be gifted with intelligence. In bwami ceremonies, turtles are represented by figurines or shells. These coins symbolize the wisdom of senior senior members of the bwami.
The Lega adore turtles, which they consider to be particularly cautious and wise because of their slow movements. The use of their shells for initiation ornaments of the "bwami" society is meant to symbolize the wisdom of the older senior members of the society.
01528
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 18,5 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Shell, accessories
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Excellent
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Bwami: art at the service of meaning
Belgian african art collector
This exceptional African mask comes from the Shabunda region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This rare piece has two levels of meaning. On the one hand, it is a lukungu mask used as part of the bwami, an individual mask marking the rank of the lutumbo lwa kindi who owns it. It was never worn on the face or body and only came out during Kindi initiations. On the death of an initiate, the lukungu was placed on the grave, and then passed to a nephew entitled to inherit it. This type of mask was never handled by women.
In its very design, this mask then has another level of meaning: sculpted in a turtle shell, it carries within it this totemic animal, called nkulu or kikulu, admired by the Lega for its slow and careful movements. They are considered to be gifted with intelligence. In bwami ceremonies, turtles are represented by figurines or shells. These coins symbolize the wisdom of senior senior members of the bwami.
The Lega adore turtles, which they consider to be particularly cautious and wise because of their slow movements. The use of their shells for initiation ornaments of the "bwami" society is meant to symbolize the wisdom of the older senior members of the society.