Pig mask "ngulu" ·  D. R. Congo, Chokwe · ID: 3032246

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, elongated stylized forms, accents with kaolin, slightly dam., minor missing parts (ears), crack; rare !
the dancer generally performs on all fours, imitating the pig’s behaviour, poking about with its snout, scratching itself and trampling around clumsily. Sometimes it dances in the company with “katoyo”(representing the white man) and “pwo” (representing the female ancestor). Like these masks it too wears a beaded waistband and rattles.
The dance masks are used by itinerant dancers, who keep them in a basket. The profession is hereditary, and is handed down form uncle to nephew. After the performance, the dancers receive gifts in return for the magical strength which they have dispensed to the community.

The object Pig mask “ngulu” with the object ID 3032246 was last part of the auction 68th tribal art auction at March 3, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 210.

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Comparing literature

Bastin, Marie-Louise, La sculpture Tshokwe, Gossau 1982, p. 86 f.