MC1302 Initiation mask Bembe M'cwe Wa Wondolomina Mask Congo

MC1302 Initiation mask Bembe M'cwe Wa Wondolomina Mask Congo

$874.00 Sale

Congo DRC


BEMBE initiation mask

(M'cwe Wa Wondolomina)

6 eye mask

See a similar mask in "Masks in Congo" page 268 fig139

According to Pol Pierre Gossiaux (of the ULG, unfortunately deceased), who must have been the greatest specialist on this tribe in eastern Congo, DRC),
this mask was used in the circumcision ritual, worn by the circumciser
- the upper pair of eyes referred to the gaze open to the truth and the reality of the initiator who was to enlighten the sight of the circumcised
- the sight of the circumcised is symbolized by the central pair of eyes
- The lower pair of eyes could evoke the blindness of uninitiated children, always immersed in the night of profane worlds

The Bembe are established in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, north of Lake Tanganyika. (Not to be confused with the Beembe who are sometimes also spelled Bembe and who are a people of the Kongo group)

They consider themselves as the descendants of the Lega to whom they are culturally close. Thus, the Bwamè of the Bembe has many points in common with the Bwami of the Lega.
At the same time, there are other secret associations like the Elunda and the Alunga 

Features
 
ITEM TYPE: Mask
ETHNICITY: Bembe.
ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of Congo.
MATERIAL: Wood.
DIMENSIONS: Height 39 cm
55 cm with its base
CONDITION: Fair
(See photos)
The base is included
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Bibliography - Bibliography
 

- Masks in Congo, Viviane Baeke, Baeke, Arthur Bourgeois, Kellim Brown, David Binkley, Rik Ceyssens, Marc Leo Felix, Pol Pierre Gossiaux, Manuel Jordanl, Constantin Petridis, Zoë Stroher, Julien Volper, Pan Yanqin. Edition Marc Leo Felix, 2016

- The Babembe Leopard Bwame (Kivu-Congo), Pol-Pierre Gossiaux, ULG 2000-2006

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CONGO DRC


Rare BEMBE initiation mask
(M'cwe Wa Wondolomina)


Beautiful initiation mask with 6 eyes
According to Pol Pierre Gossiaux (from ULG, unfortunately deceased), who was in my sense the greatest specialist in this tribe in eastern Congo DRC),
this mask was used in the ritual of circumcision, and worn by the circumciser
- the upper pair of eyes referred to the open gaze on the truth and the reality of the initiator who was to illuminate the sight of the circumcised
- the sight of the circumcised is symbolized by the central pair of eyes
- The lower pair of eyes could evoke the blindness of uninitiated children, always immersed in the night of the profane worlds

You can see a similar mask illustrated in "Masks in Congo" pages 268 fig139

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.


Features:
TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask.
ETHNIC GROUP: Bembe.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic Congo
MATERIAL: Wood.
DIMENSIONS: About 15 1/4 inches high.
21 1/2" with the base
CONDITION: Medium
Please have a look on pictures.
The base is included



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