Zoomorphic mask "kifwebe" ·  D. R. Congo, Songye · ID: 3035138

Description

wood, white, black and red pigment, crowned by short horns, min. dam., traces of insect caused damage and abrasion, small missing parts (right horn tip), socle;
in the course of time variations of the characteristic “kifwebe” mask type developed. Some obvious animal references were added to the classic rectangular box-shape. Some had horns curving downward for a ram, or upward for an antelope, or backward for a goat. Some had large ears flanking the forehead as a jackal. Some of these zoomorphic “kifwebe” were more colorful than the classical white and black Luba “kifwebe”. Sometimes blue, green or yellow were added. This developement continued, box-shape and grooved pattern more and more receded, in favour of a more naturalistic forming of the animal masks. Farther south in eastern Lubaland, towards the Zela homeland, the masks became even more realistic and the grooves were reduced to such an extent, that there was only left a symbolic reference to the classic “kifwebe” masks.

Comparing literature

Felix, Marc L., Beauty and the beasts, New Jersey 2003, p. 73