Initiation mask "ndeemba" ·  D. R. Congo, Yaka · ID: 3037036

Description

small wooden mask face, embedded in abundant grass fibre cuff, rattan bonnet coated with cloth, supporting a phantastic pagoda-like superstructure with five antenna-like projections, wood and cloth dyed with polychrome pigments, slightly dam., missing parts (teeth, handle, one antenna), abrasion of paint;
rituals and social activities that confer social manhood on uncircumcised boys are known among the Yaka as “nkhanda”. Present mask is part of the coming-out festivities and presentation of the young adults.

The object Initiation mask “ndeemba” with the object ID 3037036 was last part of the auction 77th tribal art auction at June 28, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 529.

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