Luvale Tchokwe Mwana Pwo mask
African art Chokwe Tshokwe
The Mwana pwo (young woman) masks are danced by Luvale men in festivals mainly for entertainment, confer were accumulated fertility to the spectators.
The masks represent female ancestors represented as beautiful young women, with a high forehead, balanced features, filed teeth and scarification.
The marks of scarification, which can reproduce those of the real woman whose beauty inspired by the sculptor, applies the cingelyengelye drawing on the forehead.
This cruciform design was probably derived from pewter pendants sold in the Chokwe region by Portuguese travelers as early as the XVIIth century.
01978
Data sheet
- Size
- 21 x 12 cm (without headdress)
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, rope
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
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African art Chokwe Tshokwe
The Mwana pwo (young woman) masks are danced by Luvale men in festivals mainly for entertainment, confer were accumulated fertility to the spectators.
The masks represent female ancestors represented as beautiful young women, with a high forehead, balanced features, filed teeth and scarification.
The marks of scarification, which can reproduce those of the real woman whose beauty inspired by the sculptor, applies the cingelyengelye drawing on the forehead.
This cruciform design was probably derived from pewter pendants sold in the Chokwe region by Portuguese travelers as early as the XVIIth century.