Anthropomorphic face mask "ngady a mwaash" ·  D. R. Congo, Kuba/Kete · ID: 3043245

Description

wood, brown patina, red and white pigment, parallel lines below the eyes “byoosh’dy” (symbolizing tears), blackish-white triangular decor “lancoong"at the chin, bonnet from plant fibre bast and fabric, coiffure from raffia plush and glass beads, slightly dam. (nose), beaded string partly loose/missing, metal base;
Apart from initiation ceremonies, masquerades are associated mostly with courtly ceremonies. The three royal masks “mwaash amboy”, “ngaady amwaash” and “bwoom” conjure the genesis of the Kuba. “Mwaash amboy” represents the first ancestor of the Bushong (“woot”), “ngaady amwaash” his spouse and sister (“mweel”) and “bwoom” the insurgent brother, rebelling against the royal autority.

Publications

AHDRC: 0150356