Tribal mask divided into areas of contrasting colors, and incised eyelids in an inverted "v" shape. The arch of the eyebrows is marked with perforations, and prolonged in its center by a reduced nose very slightly rolled up evoking youth. Under a bulge, the mouth is animated by incisions representing teeth. These African masks come into play at the funerals of Lilwa dignitaries or are used by the blacksmith during circumcision rituals. Raffia filling The province of Lualaba had a number of related ethnic groups with similar associations. The Mbole and the Yela are known for their statues embodying, according to D. Biebuck, hanged men, named ofika. The lilwa , an association with dogmatic initiation rites, had the custom of judging and condemning to hanging those guilty of infringing the rules imposed. These offences ranged from murder to adultery and the breaking of the secret surrounding the lilwa. Dishonored, the bodies of convicts had no funeral and were buried in the forest.
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