Old helmet mask "hemba", around 1900 ·  R. D. Congo, Suku · ID: 3039701

Description

wood, dark/reddish brown patina, helmet-shaped, surmounted by a quadruped (monkey), hairline and nosebridge stud with decorating tags, abundant grass fibre cuff at the lower rim, incised tattoos in pairs underneath the eyes, slightly dam., rep. (breakages at the calotte, left foreleg of quadruped), patina chipped off in parts, traces of insect caused damage, base;
the “hemba” mask is first danced within the initiation camp at the occasion when other important charms are shown in the traditional initiation of the Suku. A notable of the village had previously treated the mask with a concoction of powerful ingredients and the blood of a rooster had been sprinkled over it. This activated the mask-charm and no one could casually touch it without harm. With careful instruction, the older initiates are taught to dance and then permitted to wear a pair of “hemba” masks into the village at the closing festivities. 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.

Littérature comparée

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

Publications

Exposition

Olten, Historisches Museum: "Afrika Maske und Skulptur", 1989