Zemanek-Münster
"Kifwebe" mask "kikashi" (female type), D. R. Congo, Songe / Luba, Size: H: 34 cm (H: 13.4 inch), ID: 3048736
"Kifwebe" mask "kikashi" (female type), D. R. Congo, Songe / Luba, Size: H: 34 cm (H: 13.4 inch), ID: 3048736 - 2/5 "Kifwebe" mask "kikashi" (female type), D. R. Congo, Songe / Luba, Size: H: 34 cm (H: 13.4 inch), ID: 3048736 - 3/5 "Kifwebe" mask "kikashi" (female type), D. R. Congo, Songe / Luba, Size: H: 34 cm (H: 13.4 inch), ID: 3048736 - 4/5 "Kifwebe" mask "kikashi" (female type), D. R. Congo, Songe / Luba, Size: H: 34 cm (H: 13.4 inch), ID: 3048736 - 5/5
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Lot 91
98th Auction

"Kifwebe" mask "kikashi" (female type) ·  D. R. Congo, Songe / Luba · ID: 3048736

sold EUR 1,200
Provenance
Helga Redlich, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 15 June 2002, Lot 491
Werner Zintl, Worms, Germany
Size
H: 34 cm
H: 13.4 inch

Description

wood, kaolin, black paint, base

“Kifwebe” masks were the property of the “bwadi bwa kifwebe” male society, which was responsible for maintaining social order and political power within the Songe society.

Community leaders made use of witchcraft (“buchi”) and magic (“masende”) to enforce desired behaviour.

To harness the powers of “buchi” and “masende”, “kifwebe” masks are danced. It was believed that the power of the masks would give their wearers supernatural powers and abilities.

Africa
Masks

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