Tribal Art

Tetela mask (N° 22241)

African mask with perforations limited to the areas of the nose and forehead, associated with certain scarifications of the group. The bulbous forehead is framed with unusual diagonal growths. Between the rectangular eyes, the particularly short nose ends in a point. The mouth was originally lined with teeth. Matte patina coated with residual kaolin.
Height on base: 41 cm.
The Tetela and Yela groups are of Mongo origin and are neighbors. The sculpture of the Tetela takes on various forms, borrowed from the clans they rub shoulders with, including Songye inspirations with polychrome works. Several ethnic groups divided into lineages live closely intertwined in central Zaire: the Mbole, the Yela, the Lengola, and the Metoko, and have similar associations. This proximity has generated certain stylistic borrowings. Their artistic production indeed presents great analogies with that of the Metoko and the Lengola. Their divination masks were exhibited during the closing ceremonies of the initiation and circumcision of the young people of the nkunda divination society, during which their "nsembu" or "ibola" masks appeared in pairs, male Female.