Mask "idimu" ·  D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3034651

Description

wood, light and dark brown patina, remains of kaolin, drilled holes in the head area, slit-shaped mouth with notched rim, grass fibre beard, slightly dam., minor missing parts (backside at the rim), metal base;
Lega masks are “bwami” initiation objects. There are five different types: “lukwakongo”, “kayamba”, “idimu”, “muminia”, and “lukungu”. They serve as important marks of rank, identifying the owners as members of specific “bwami” levels. The “idimu” mask is owned collectively and is kept by an appropriate member of “yananio” or “kindi”. In a major performance, the “idumu” mask is hung on a fence surrounded by the smaller, individually owned “lukwakongo” masks.

The object Mask “idimu” with the object ID 3034651 was last part of the auction 73rd tribal art auction at May 25, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 381.

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