Small mask "lukwakongo" ·  D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3032725

Description

wood, shiny brown patina, remains of pigments, beard made from plant fibres, min. dam., fissures;
young men received the “lukwakongo” masks during the “yananio” rites. These masks were the most important insignia of rank until the owner moved to the higher level of “kindi” and trades his wooden mask for an ivory one, called “lukungu”. These masks were emblems of rank and visible signs for the connection between the deceased and the living, between former initiates and their successors. They were presented during different stages of initiation.