Luba Songye Kifwebe mask
Important African wooden mask still heavily covered with white pigment. Its shape leaves no doubt about its identification, it is a mask of the bwadi bwa kifwebe, a cult practiced by the Luba, Songye and Kalebwe in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Luba Songye "kifwebe" mask is covered with fine streaks related to worship and communication with the ancestors.
The extruded mouth is in the same plane as the nose. Note here the absence of a naso-frontal crest, thus illustrating a female kikashi mask. Otherwise, a developed crest would indicate a male kilume mask.
02025
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 48 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, kaolin
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
You might also like
Important African wooden mask still heavily covered with white pigment. Its shape leaves no doubt about its identification, it is a mask of the bwadi bwa kifwebe, a cult practiced by the Luba, Songye and Kalebwe in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Luba Songye "kifwebe" mask is covered with fine streaks related to worship and communication with the ancestors.
The extruded mouth is in the same plane as the nose. Note here the absence of a naso-frontal crest, thus illustrating a female kikashi mask. Otherwise, a developed crest would indicate a male kilume mask.