Helmet mask "lipiko" ·  Mozambique, Makonde · ID: 3034768

Description

wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, plastically carved with very naturalistic facial features, the whole facial area covered with tribe-typical scarification marks, crowned by a parted coiffure made of real hair, min. dam., small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion, wooden socle;
“lipiko” masks appeared at initiation celebrations. They were worn by the young initiates “vaali” at the “mapiko” masquerade. They depict woman rather than men and were kept in special sacred houses outside the village. Women were not allowed to see them.