Male mask "cihongo" ·  R. D. Congo, Tchokwé · ID: 3035857

Description

wood, shiny brown patina, black paint, kaolin, typical for the male type is the broad, teeth revealing mouth, as well as the disc-shaped protruding beard, rep. (breakage at the chin), fine cracks, small missing parts, base;
the male spirit “cihongo” symbolizes strength and abundance; in former times the masks were exclusively worn by the chief or one of his sons and were responsible for criminal justice and social control.

Littérature comparée

Wastiau, Boris, Visions of Africa, Chokwe, Milan 2006, ill. 55