Face mask "eluba" or "emangungu" ·  D. R. Congo, Bembe · ID: 3038162

Description

wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, coffee-bean shaped eyes in white oval planes, small tubular mouth, incised decor, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion;
present “emangungu” mask type is used at circumcision rites by the “butende bwa eluba” society. The eyes should remind on an owl, which is said to have close connections to the spirits of nature. The masks are attached to a costume of banana leaves and bark. They are worn by initiated boys while begging for food in the village during the seclusion period.

The object Face mask “eluba” or “emangungu” with the object ID 3038162 was part of the auction 79th Tribal Art Auction on March 21, 2015. The object with the lot number 382 achieved a sales price of EUR 9,000 with an asking price of EUR 4,500.

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Comparing literature

Herreman, Frank & Constantijn Petridis (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 184 f.