Bodymask of a pregnant woman "ndimu" ·  Tanzania, Makonde · ID: 3035159

Description

wood, lusterless dark brown patina, rectangular breast board, carved with a nearly naturalistic depiction of an advanced stadium of pregnancy, slightly dam., minor missing parts (navel area, base of the breast plate), cracks, rep. (the bottom of the belly spread with blackish mass, can be seen on the inside as well), inscription “FE9075” in white paint backside, metal socle;
the female body mask was used at initiation rites. It was part of the costume of a “ndimu”-mask dancer, called “amwalin-dembo”, depicting a pregnant woman. It was always worn by a male dancer and was supplemented by a face mask. The dance demonstrated the pain of birth.

Exhibition

"Bauchmasken der Makonde", Galerie Fred Jahn, Stuttgart, 19. October - 16. November 1991