Hemba Mwisi Gwa So'o mask
Man and animal in the Congo
This African Hemba mwisi gwa so'o mask (south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo) is known in tribal art as an ape representation, of a chimpanzee to be precise.
It is an ovoid mask with a wide, generally smiling and toothed mouth. The extruded upper part has almond-shaped eyes and a more or less elongated nose.
These traditional masks sometimes also called soko mutu were worn by a dancer entirely covered with a costume of fibers embodying the animal spirit of the bush.
01943
Data sheet
- Size
- 19 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Condition
- Excellent
Man and animal in the Congo
This African Hemba mwisi gwa so'o mask (south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo) is known in tribal art as an ape representation, of a chimpanzee to be precise.
It is an ovoid mask with a wide, generally smiling and toothed mouth. The extruded upper part has almond-shaped eyes and a more or less elongated nose.
These traditional masks sometimes also called soko mutu were worn by a dancer entirely covered with a costume of fibers embodying the animal spirit of the bush.