Big mask "sachihongo" · Zambia, Mbunda · ID: 3042087
Catherine Sargos, Nancy, France
Description
wood, brown patina, red pigment, extremely broad in shape, characteristic features: eyebrows in concentrical grooves, facial scarifications, bulging cheeks, min. dam., small missing parts, cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base;
“sachihongo” has been described as the incarnation of a hunter and/or diviner, but probably represents a chiefly ancestral character. The masks appear after the circumcision of young boys, during times of convalescence in the bush camps. The mask is completed by a crown of feathers, fiber beard and a net suit, made of the fibers of the “mushamba” tree.
The object Big mask “sachihongo” with the object ID 3042087 was last part of the auction 86th Tribal Art Auction at May 27, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 512.
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
Felix, Marc L. & Manuel Jordan, Makishi Lya Zambia, München 1998, p. 223 ff.
Publications
Sargos, Catherine & Patrick, Arts et traditions d'Afrique, Paris 2010, p. 229, ill. 5.47; Sargos, Patrick & Catherine, Afrique de la pensee magique au miracle de l'art, Biarritz 2008, ill 6.29
AHDRC: 0120810
Exhibition
Olivier Klejman, Masques d'Afrique centrale, Paris, 2 December 2006 - 7 January 2007