Beautiful old mask "pumbu" or "fumu"" ·  D. R. Congo, Pende · ID: 3046991

Description

wood, pigments, raffia bast and cloth,
The Pende distinguish between ritual masks used for initiations, called “mingangii”, and dance masks “mbuya”, which appear at festivities to entertain the village community. They embody different characters or role models of the Pende society and appear in a wide range of variations.

The identification of a specific mask character depends largeley on aspects of the costume, including the headdress and acessories, and the choreography of the dance. Taken out of the ritual context, the exact type of a mask can therefore no longer be clearly determined.

This mask probably belongs to the “pumbu” mask type, which represents the executioner. The upper lip of “pumbus” large mouth rises in what Pende interpret as an expression of anger; he is already to bellow with rage.

During the masked representation, he brandishes a huge double sided knife, formerly used for executions. He simulated anger tantrums and threatens the spectators.

The object Beautiful old mask “pumbu” or “fumu”" with the object ID 3046991 was last part of the auction 95th Tribal Art Auction at October 24, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 288 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,750.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Fagaly, William, Ancestors of Congo Square, New Orleans 2011, p. 329 Strother, Z.S., Pende, Mailand 2008, Pl. 20

Publications

AHDRC: 0037466