Helmet mask "lipiko" ·  Mozambique, Makonde · ID: 3035659

Description

wood, dark brown patina, open mouth with one tooth, tripartite coiffure and eyebrows formed by human hair (largely missing), min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, base;
“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 mask houses outside the village.