Masque casque anthropomorphe "hemba" ·  R. D. Congo, Suku · ID: 3050468

Description

wood, pigments, rest., base

This helmet mask is used by some Yaka enclaves and their Suku neighbours in the east and south. It is integrated into the initiation rites of the “n-khanda” (Yaka) or “mukanda” society (Suku). It is called “mbala” by the Yaka and “hemba” by the Suku.

The mask is crowned by the Duiker antelope “tsetse”, who appears in Yaka and Suku folktales as a cunning trickster and is considered the patron of young initiates.

“Hemba” is first danced in the initiation camp after being treated by a magic priest with a concoction of powerful ingredients and the blood of a cock that had been sprinkled over it. This activated the masks magical power and no one could casually touch it without harm.

Afterwards, she performs in pairs at the closing ceremonies in the village. For this dance, additional charms are placed inside the mask or attached to its shaggy fringe that would “shoot” any witch who might attempt to harm the dancer.

L’objet Masque casque anthropomorphe “hemba” avec l’ID d’objet 3050468 a fait partie de la dernière vente aux enchères 102e vente aux enchères dans 13 avril 2024 le Zemanek-Münster Hôtel des ventes. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 272 a atteint un prix de vente de 3 000 €.

Vous trouverez d’autres Masques et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art africain pourrait également vous intéresser.

Littérature comparée

Herreman, Frank & Constantijn Petridis (ed.), Face of the Spirits, Tervuren 1993, p. 50, ill. 2

Publications

AHDRC: 0016397