Panya Ngombe mask – Wood – Pende – Congo

Panya Ngombe mask from the Pende people of GCoogno. This mask, used by the Eastern Pende people of the DRC is known as panya ngombe and represents a buffalo, symbol of authority and dignity. Characteristic of this type are a horizontally oriented form, protruding ears. These masks formerly belonged to the insignia of important chiefs (mbuya jia ufumu). Clad in a royal garment and holding a machete, the masked dancers appeared only during the mukanda initiation of adolescent boys after their circumcision, to gather donations to cover the cost of the celebration that took place after the initiation period.

Provenance: former private German collection.