Helmet mask "hemba"

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Description

wood, red and black pigment, kaolin, grass fibre,

The mask is crowned by the Duiker antelope “tsetse”, who appears in Yaka and Suku folktales as a cunning trickster and is considered the patron of young initiates.

Among the Yaka and Suku, the initiation of boys is carried out by the “mukanda” or “n-khanda” - initiation society. The helmet mask “hemba” (or “mbala” for the Yaka) is the property of this society.

“Hemba” is first danced in the initiation camp after being treated by a magic priest with a concoction of powerful ingredients and the blood of a cock that had been sprinkled over it. This activated the mask-charm and no one could casually touch it without harm.

Afterwards, she performs in pairs at the closing ceremonies in the village. For this dance, additional charms are placed inside the mask or attached to its shaggy fringe that would “shoot” any witch who might attempt to harm the dancer.

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Comparing literature

Herreman, Frank & Constantijn Petridis (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 50, ill. 2

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