Anthropomorphic face mask "ngady amwaash"
Fred Jahn, Munich, Germany
Description
wood, dyed with red pigment, narrow slit eyes with white lids, parallel lines under the eyes “byoosh’dy” (symbolizing tears), blackish-white triangular decor “lancoong” in the chin area, elaborate bonnet of plant fibre bast and fabric with a coiffure of raffia plush and glass beads, slightly dam. (nose), beaded string partly loose, partly missing, on metal base;
various characteristics of the “ngaady amwaash” mask type are present, only the beaded band reaching from the base of the nose to the chin is missing as well as the beads aplied as eyebrows. This could refer to the fact that the mask was used outside of the royal court.
Masking tradition of the Kuba is associated with the initiation of young boys “nkaan” on the one hand and with public ceremonies and celebrations referring to the sacral sovereigns “nyim” on the other hand. The masquerades fulfill educational and protective functions, serve for entertainment and try to guarantee safety and maintenance of the social and political order. The three royal masks “mwaash amboy”, “ngaady amwaash” und “bwoom” conjure the genesis of the Kuba. “Mwaash amboy” represents the first ancestor of the Bushong (“woot”), “ngaady amwaash” his spouse and sister (“mweel”) and “bwoom” the insurgent brother, rebelling against the royal autority.