Masque esprit de jeune femme "mwana pwo" ·  R. D. Congo, Tchokwé · ID: 3045755

Description

wood, red pigment, base

The “mwana pwo” - mask represents a female ancestor, but is danced exclusively by men. The mask appears at different ceremonial occasions, with the “mukanda” male initiation as its primary venue.

The carved scars below the eyes are particularly meaningful; they represent tears, “masoji”, that reflect the suffering mothers endure when their boys go into “mukanda” to become adults.