Mask "idimu" ·  R. D. Congo, Lega · ID: 3036835

Description

light brown wood, partly dark brown patina, remains of kaolin, typical form with heart-shaped deepened facial plane, parallel scarification marks on the cheeks, carved handle at the back. min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, base;
Lega masks are marks of rank within the different levels of initiation in the “bwami” society. There are five different mask types: “lukwakongo”, “kayamba”, “idimu”, “muminia”, and “lukungu”. Young men received the “lukwakongo” masks during the “yananio” rites. These masks were the most important insignia of rank until the owner moved to the higher level of “kindi” and trades his wooden mask for an ivory one, called “lukungu”.