Female ancestor spirit mask "mwana phwevo" · Angola / Zambia, Luena (Lwena / Lovale) · ID: 3048744
Hermann Sommerhage, Duisburg, Germany
Werner Zintl, Worms, Germany (2007)
Description
wood, pokerwork, cord material (hemp), rattan, base
The name of the mask “mwana phwevo” - “young woman”, refers to a mythical female person who died early and whose painful loss is to be recalled by the dance of the mask.
Her face with its strikingly luxuriant hairstyle corresponds to the common ideal of beauty. The eyes, which are always narrowed to slits, are meant to indicate that a dead person is depicted.
“Mwana phwevo” masks are danced by men. According to Hahner-Herzog, they appear at various festive occasions to entertain the villagers, especially the women, with graceful dances that often have sexual connotations.
Comparing literature
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, cat. 86
Publications
AHDRC: 0001523
Exhibition
Brussels, Belgium: "BRUNEAF, Brussels Non European Art Fair XVII", 6-10 June 2007 (not illustrated)