Mask "mwana phwevo" · Angola / Zambia, Luena (Luvale) / Luchazi · ID: 3038553
not available anymore
Provenance
Larry Goldblatt, New York, USAMichael Rhodes, New York, USA
Private Collection, New York, USA
Size
H: 27 cm
H: 10.6 inch
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, abundant coiffure from plant fiber cord with beaded strings, remains of a costume from knotted plant fibre, slightly dam. (mouth, eyes), abrasion of paint, base;
various ethnical groups in the area of the upper Sambesi and the southern Kasai area use the “mwana phwevo” mask type. Its name, “young woman” refers to a mythological female person, who died young, and whose painful loss should be recalled by the masquerade. The masks were danced by men and appear on various festive occasions in order to amuse the village people, especially women, with their charming dances.
Comparing literature
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 86