Bwami mask – Raphia, Wood – Lega – Congo

Beautiful Lega Mask from Zaire or Congo.
Wood with multi-layered patina. Remains of offerings, mica powder, kaolin.
Condition: good with a beautiful aged patina due to tribal use.

Covered in Pembe, white clay, each time the mask is used, resulting in a beautiful patina.

Lega masks, named Lukwakongo, have a standard design, but there are unique masks with symbolic and ritual meaning, made for special occasions.

The life of the Lega is regulated through the Bwami, to which both men and women belong. There are seven levels for men and four levels for women. Masks were used for initiation to the first two levels of the Bwami society and repainted with Pembe each time they were used or displayed. The mask is in a later stadium decorated with a beard made from raphia. Total length including raphia: 45 cm.