Lega Muminia mask
€300.00
Known in African Lega tribal art, the muminia and idimu masks represent the symbolic links that the living maintain with the initiates who have become ancestors.
It is therefore very difficult to tell them apart, unless the precise information was gathered during the acquisition of the mask in the Lega country.
This example is made of medium density wood covered in white kaolin like many muminia and most idimu.
The traditional idimu and muminia masks appear only during the initiation of the two upper grades, lutumbo lwa yananio and lutumbo lwa kindi; despite its rarity, the presence of the muminia was essential at each initiation.
During rituals, however, the two could be displayed on a small rack (pala), surrounded by lukungu masks of ivory or bone.
This copy was probably fixed by means of the wooden handle present on its back with its clearly visible collar-beard.
Muminia then symbolized the ancestor Katima, who would have created the Bwami.
Katima was the sole survivor of battles fought between several Lega clans during their migrations to their current territory, while the small bone or ivory lukungu masks that surround it represent the skulls of dead warriors.
Shipping fees
02394
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 21 cm (34 cm with support)
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, kaolin
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal Art Collection Luxembourg
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Excellent
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Known in African Lega tribal art, the muminia and idimu masks represent the symbolic links that the living maintain with the initiates who have become ancestors.
It is therefore very difficult to tell them apart, unless the precise information was gathered during the acquisition of the mask in the Lega country.
This example is made of medium density wood covered in white kaolin like many muminia and most idimu.
The traditional idimu and muminia masks appear only during the initiation of the two upper grades, lutumbo lwa yananio and lutumbo lwa kindi; despite its rarity, the presence of the muminia was essential at each initiation.
During rituals, however, the two could be displayed on a small rack (pala), surrounded by lukungu masks of ivory or bone.
This copy was probably fixed by means of the wooden handle present on its back with its clearly visible collar-beard.
Muminia then symbolized the ancestor Katima, who would have created the Bwami.
Katima was the sole survivor of battles fought between several Lega clans during their migrations to their current territory, while the small bone or ivory lukungu masks that surround it represent the skulls of dead warriors.