Beautiful initiation BEMBE Mask Congo DRC African Tribal Art 1303
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Description
BEMBE Large zoomorphic Owl mask
Atypical mask, with his off-center smile that gives him a cheerful and slightly cheeky look
Called "Eluba ya butende na cwecwe" or "Emangungu" these masks were worn during the initiation rites of young people.
"The animal that dominates the heights of the forest, the master of death, is the owl (cwecwe: generic term). this mask will protect, in particular, circumcised batende against poisonous eyes of wizards" (PP Gossiaux, page 19)
The Bembe are based in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, north of Lake Tanganyika. (Do not confuse them with the Beembe who sometimes also spell Bembe and who are a people of the Kongo group)
They see themselves as the descendants of the Lega of which they are culturally close. The Bwamé of the Bembe has much in common with the Bwami of the Lega
At the same time, they have other secret associations such as Elunda and Alunga, whose mask helmets are well known by Congo art lovers.
Characteristics: TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask.
ETHNICAL GROUP: Bembe.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic Congo
(ex Zaïre, ex Belgian Congo). Maniema Prov.
MATERIAL: Wood.
DIMENSIONS: About 10 1/2 inches high.
CONDITION: Medium
Please have a look on pictures.
The base is NOT included
BIBLIOGRAPHIE - BIBLIOGRAPHY :
- Le Bwame du Leopard des Babembe (Kivu-Congo), Pol-Pierre Gossiaux, ULG 2000-2006
- Masks in Congo, Viviane Baeke, Baeke, Arthur Bourgeois, Kellim Brown, David Binkley, Rik Ceyssens, Marc Leo Felix, Pol Pierre Gossiaux, Manuel Jordan, Constantin Petridis, Zoe Stroher, Julien Volper, Pan Yanqin. Edition Marc Leo Felix, 2016 - 100 peoples of Zaire and their sculpture. The handbook for collectors, scholars and students, Marc Leo Felix, Bruxelles: Zaire Basin Art History Research Foundation, 1987 Page 11
- "Masques d'Afrique" , William Fagg, Fernand Nathan, 1980
- Persona. Masques d'Afrique. Identites cachees et revelees, Anne-Marie Bouttiaux Editions 5 Continents & RMCA (Musee de Tervuren) ***********************************************************
Reserve: $500.00
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Condition
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Buyer's Premium
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Beautiful initiation BEMBE Mask Congo DRC African Tribal Art 1303
Estimate $600 - $700
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