A Luba Mask
Mask
Luba, DR Congo
Ohne Sockel / without base
Wood. H 35 cm.
Provenance:
Helmut (1931-2021) and Marianne Zimmer, Zurich.
Mask of the society called "bwadi ba kifwebe".
Such masks embodied a mythological spirit being, were completed with a braided costume and a long beard of raffia, and danced at various ceremonies to ensure social order in the village.
The term "kifwebe" is today equated with "mask", but used to mean "keep death away". The masks at that time were supposed to protect against illness and accidents.
Further reading:
Neyt, François (2020). Kifwebe: A Century of Songye and Luba Masks. Milano: 5 Continents Editions.
CHF 300 / 600
EUR 300 / 600