Helmet mask "hemba"

---

Description

wood, greyish brown patina, small remains of indigo blue and white pigment, crowned by a separate carved bird sculpture attached by cord, the smoothened facial plane heart-shaped deepened, abundant grass fibre cuff at the lower rim, the chin plug inscribed at the bottom: “FC4316”, dam., minor missing parts (birds beak), paint rubbed off, missing part through insect caused damage on the left side of the head;
mask type known as “hemba”, which is spread all over the Suku area and which was used at initiation rites for young boys.

---

Comparing literature

Bourgeois, Arthur P., Art of the Yaka and Suku, Paris 1984, p. 155, ill. 145

---