Face mask "cihongo" ·  R. D. Congo, Tchokwé · ID: 3040582

Description

wood, brown patina, red and white pigment, broad teeth-revealing mouth and disc-shaped beard are characteristic features of the male mask type “cihongo”, over the ridge of the nose runs the “kangongo” scarification, an old tribal sign characteristic to the Chokwe, inspired by the stripe of the treemouse’s back, underneath the eyes one notes the presence of “masoji” (“tears”), diadem-like headdress from rattan and grass fibre, min. remains of a net-like costume backside, slightly dam., rep. (corner of the mouth/rim?), rep. (upper and lower lip on the right), base;
the “pwo” and the “cihongo” masks belong to the group of “akishi a kuhangana” or dance masks. The dancers went from village to village and were rewarded for the beneficient influence which would follow from their performances. “Cihongo” represents the male spirit symbolic of power and riches, at which “pwo” evokes the female ancestor who watches over the fertility of future generations.