Lega mask of the Bwami
€190.00
African Lega masks occupy a central place in the Bwami secret society, an initiation system structured in progressive grades (kindi, kongobulumbu, yananio, lutumbo lwa kindi, etc.).
These traditional masks were most often carved from wood, with ivory reserved for the highest grades.
The masks, like the figurines used in the rituals, embody the proverbs, wisdom, and moral ideals transmitted during the ceremonies.
Their minimalist aesthetic—concave faces, slit eyes, light patina, and clean geometric forms—contrasts with the exuberance of other African art and symbolizes purity, serenity, and spiritual authority.
Shipping fees
02589
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- 2nd half XXth
- Size
- 30 cm (45 cm with support)
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, kaolin
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Very good
African Lega masks occupy a central place in the Bwami secret society, an initiation system structured in progressive grades (kindi, kongobulumbu, yananio, lutumbo lwa kindi, etc.).
These traditional masks were most often carved from wood, with ivory reserved for the highest grades.
The masks, like the figurines used in the rituals, embody the proverbs, wisdom, and moral ideals transmitted during the ceremonies.
Their minimalist aesthetic—concave faces, slit eyes, light patina, and clean geometric forms—contrasts with the exuberance of other African art and symbolizes purity, serenity, and spiritual authority.