Zemanek-Münster

Mask "kifwebe"

D. R. Congo, Songye
not available anymore
Provenance
Hermann Sommerhage, Duisburg, Germany
Size
H: 46 cm
H: 18.1 inch

Description

wood, plant fibre, base

This variant of a “kifwebe” mask of narrow form and with a broad striped pattern in black, white and red, is located by Marc Leo Felix to the eastern Songe, which live along the Lualaba river.

“Kifwebe” masks basically depict supernatural beings, such as ancestor spirits “katotoshi” visiting their descendants. They belong to an association which bears the same name, “bwadi ka bifwebe”.


Comparing literature

Felix, Marc L., Beauty and the beasts, Brussels 2003, p. 43, ill. 24a

Subscribe to our newsletter

Join over 10,000 tribal art collectors. Don't miss out on upcoming news and auctions.

Subscribe today