Mask "lukwakongo"
Description
light wood, kaolin, grass fibre, cord, flat backside, deepened facial plane, separate worked eyes with drilled holes, without mouth, long fibre beard attached by cord, slightly dam. (rim of the mask in the forehead area), abrasion of kaolin;
Lega masks are insignia of rank within the various initiation levels of “bwame” society. The maskette is transferred and acquired during the “lukwakongo” rite of the “lutumbo lwa yananio” grade. It is passed on to the patrilineal or matrilineal relative chosen to “succeed”, when the current owner of the maskette dies or moves up to the “kindi” level. The maskette is kept in a mans shoulder bag together with other insignia and guarded in her house by his senior initiated “kalonda” wife. In the “yananio” rites the maskettes are generally presented as a group, i. e. every participating “yananio” must bring his mask to the initiation and display it at the appropriate command. In the group manifestations maskettes may be attached to white cloth, worn fixed to the headdress, held against the forehead or under the chin, dragged or swung around by their beards, fixed to a specially erected fence.