Lega mask lukwakongo or idimu style, Democratic Republic of the Congo
wood, pigment and plant fiber
18" tall x 5" wide (stand is included with the mask)
SOLD
Lega masks are used as initiation objects in the Bwami society. Masks into five types according to material, size, and form: lukwakongo,
kayam-ba, idimu, muminia, and lukungu (Biebuyck 1973,164). They serve as an important mark of rank, identifying the owners as members of
specific Bwami levels (Biebuyck 1986,125-26).
Unlike many masks in other African cultures, the masks of the Lega are not usually worn over the face, they are attached to the body, held in the
hand or simply hung on fences during the initiation ceremonies of the Bwami society. References: Art of the Lega
Despite its appearance, I believe that this wonderfully carved and expressive mask was made specifically for the collecting market.
Recommended reading: Art of the Lega by Elisabeth Lynn Cameron
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