Miniature mask "lukwakongo" ·  R. D. Congo, Lega · ID: 3033284

Description

light-weighted wood, kaolin, typical heart-shaped facial plane with elongated nose ridge, drilled holes in the chin area for attachment of a raphia beard, slightly dam.;
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”.

Littérature comparée

Cameron, Elisabeth L., Art of the Lega, Los Angeles 2001, p. 198