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Songye, "Kifwebe" Mask
Tribe: Songye
Region: Shaba, north-western part of the Democratic Republic
of the Congo
Size: 10.5"
Weight: 14oz
Material: wood, vegetable pigment
In the Songye language 'kifwebe' means mask. Masks were usually made deep in
the bush and later consecrated during a secret ceremony to enable a spirit
or supernatural forces to enter a new mask.
Long ago, the male versions of the mask were worn by the witchdoctors during some
epidemics, by a chief at war or when a king died. Today they are often used
by the Songye leaders to safeguard their political and economic positions.
This is a female mask of the secret society of Kifwebe. Female masks are associated
with the moon and are worn for dancing at moon rituals. They are also used
during the initiation ceremony or circumcision rituals. Initiates learn
the names of different parts of the mask and their specific features
referring to a cosmology and mythical heroes. The main use of the mask, however,
was to ward off disaster or any other threat.
The main feature of the mask is a very characteristic curving of narrow strips
of alternate colours spreading in circles from around slit eyes. A central
crest extends from the nose. The size of this crest determines the magic potential
and spiritual power of the mask. The mask has an extraordinary, cubic mouth.
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