Mask "kifwebe" ·  D. R. Congo, Songye · ID: 3037252

Description

wood, black grounding, coated with grooved pattern with kaolin rubbed into the deepenings, rectangular projecting mouth dyed in red, flat crest, characteristic waisted form, drilled holes around the rim, slightly dam., rep. (on the upper rim);
the “kifwebe” represents a spirit being and it belongs to the association which bears the same name, “bwadi ka bifwebe”. Present mask has a whitened facial plane and plane forehead crest, which proves her to be of female type “kikashi”. They represent positive powers and are mainly used at masquerades taking place at night, for example at important moon ceremonies, or in case of the death of chief.