Mask dancer ·  R. D. Congo, Songye · ID: 3039802

Description

wood, kaolin, black and brown pigments, separate worked arms, netted costume, animal skin loincloth, broad leather belt, wearing a “kifwebe” mask in male form “kilume” with high crest, provided with typical facial features and striped decor in black and white, abundant plant fibre cuff around the neck, slightly dam., minor missing parts (crest), abrasion of paint, traces of old age, base;
such masked figures were sometimes used for instructional purposes. It may also have had a protective function for the mask wearer and was kept in his home to hold the spirit of the large mask when it was in use.

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