Horned mask "kayamba" · D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3034950
Description
wood, shiny dark brown patina, drilled holes around the rim, fine cracks, small missing parts, socle;
this is the only type of Lega mask that is exclusively worn before the face in the few rites and places where it occurs. In some instances two masks of this type perform together when they represent troublesome strangers. This type of mask performs in very few “yananio” and “kindi” rites. In some cases it is part of the baskets containing collectively owned initiation objects. In other instances the mask belongs to a preceptor of “kindi” grade.
The object Horned mask “kayamba” with the object ID 3034950 was last part of the auction 73rd tribal art auction at May 25, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 380.
You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Comparing literature
Biebuyck, Daniel P., Lega, Brüssel 2002, p. 117