Tribal Art

Kuba / Twa or Ngeende Bongo mask (N° 17976)

The first African arts in the people of lightning.
This funeral mask, devoid of the decoration of pearls frequently adorning the Masks of the Kuba, forms one of the regional types of masks bwoom, or bongo, embodying a pygmy, and also a spirit originally living in their territory. This mask is characterized by a bulbous forehead, protruding, angular cheekbones, and an important nose growing above hollowed-out quadrangular nostrils and a flat mouth. A raised rib bypasses the base of the hem. Under the oiled black patina a light wood surfaces. Desication abrasions and cracks.
The Kuba kingdom was founded in the 16th century by the Bushoong which are still ruled by a king today. More than twenty types of tribal masks are used in the Kuba or people of lightning, with meanings and functions that vary from group to group. Ritual ceremonies were an opportunity to display decorative arts and masks, in order to honor the spirit of the deceased or to honor the king. Three types of masks related to Kuba mythological history have been associated with dances that take place in the royal precinct, for funerals, inductions, or for circumcisions: the first, called Moshambwooy, represents Woot, the founder of the Bushoong sub-tribe, the hero of the culture. The second, known as Nady Amwaash (Ngaady Un Mwash), plays Woot's wife/sister, a character who would have been introduced to give more importance to the role of women. The third mask is Bwoom.
Ref. : 'a target'_blank' rel-'nofollow' href'https://reinesheroinesdafrique.wordpress.com/2016/10/08/the-queens-of-the-empire-kuba-the-mystere-of-the-masks-of-the-queen-mere-ngokady/'' Kuba (c) by Binkley and Darish at 5Continents Editions.