Masque facial anthropomorphe ·  R. D. Congo, Salampasu · ID: 3047686

Description

wood, kaolin, grass fibre, base

Traditionally, masks of the Salampasu belong to a broad range of male societies and associated initiation sub-societies.

This mask is probably of the “kasangu” type, which was the property of the warrior society “mu(n)gongo”.

The heads of the dancers were crowned by luxuriant feather ornaments. They wore a net-like costume made of raffia fibres, a skirt made of grass fibres or animal skins and held a sword in their hands.

Littérature comparée

Fagaly, William, Ancestors of Congo Square, New Orleans 2011, p. 320