Very rare leather mask ·  D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3048891

Description

hide, pigment, base

Lega masks made of animal skin are extremely rare. A comparable object formerly Jef Vanderstraete, published in Biebuyck, 2002, p. 115, cat. 60.

According to Biebuyck, a connection with the secret face masks of the “elanda” association is conceivable, an institution of the neighbouring Bembe shared by only a few eastern Lega groups (cf. Felix, 2016, cat. 292).

These leather masks were originally decorated with feathers, and sometimes a set of porcupine quills. They were “highly secret” and used by high-ranking initiates of the “elanda” association, worn over their faces and only seen through a wall of the initiation house.

Their roles were different from that of Bwami masks: they “transformed the wearer into a spiritual being to amplify the social control functions vested in him.

Comparing literature

Biebuyck, Daniel P., Lega, Brussels 2002, p. 115, cat. 60 Felix, Marc Leo, Masks in Congo, Hong Kong 2016, cat. 292