Kifwebe Association Masked-Figure, Songye, D.R.C.

17” / 43.2cm
wood, plant fiber, pigment
ex private US collection

”All Songye masks are worn exclusively by initiated men, who are members of the Kifwebe association. What we have been calling "a mask" up to now is in fact only the face or head of the total mask. For a mask to be complete to perform, the dancer has to wear a costume covering the entire body. The full costume will include a beard of blackened bark or fiber strips attached to a row of holes at the chin of the mask. The mask is worn in front of the face. Behind the top of the mask an erect conical wicker form is usually attached. This horn-like projection is covered with a fiber mesh and is surmounted with a cluster of feathers. Fiber netting affixed to holes in the rim of the mask surrounds the whole back and sides of the mask and drapes like a veil over the neck and shoulders of the wearer. To this netting will usually be attached rows of cowry shells, and / or pieces of shiny metal or black shiny seeds. Inside the mask or the netting a "medicine" pouch will be hidden so as to give "magical" power to the mask. The masker also wears a fiber-netting shirt with long sleeves ending in three-fingered gloves. This is worn with fiber-netting trousers with attached socks; their soles are made of thick hide (elephant in olden days). At the waist the dancer wears a few animal pelt aprons, and a striped fur belt often circles his hips. In his hand he carries a forked tree branch, a stick, a staff or sometimes a long knife or spear.

It is obvious that symbolism is attached to each component of this elaborate costume and its addenda. During their first period of isolation young initiates are taught some of the esoteric information about all the components of the mask, as well as the meaning of the accompanying dance steps, music and songs. They learn through tales, proverbs, song, myths and the use of small didactic figures depicting the mask-wearer in full costume.” - from Beauty and the Beasts, pg 35. by Marc Leo Felix with an example shown on pg 34

Additional examples and information on these figures can also be found in the Spring 2008 issue of Tribal Art Magazine, pages 102-112.

SOLD500 plus shipping