317 - INITIATION MASK, KHOLUKA (OR MBAALA) - DR Congo - Yaka

INITIATION MASK, KHOLUKA (OR MBAALA) - DR Congo - Yaka Mid-20th century. Wood, pigments, wicker superstructure lined with fabric and pigments; large raphia-fiber collar. Dimensions: 63 cm. A helmet-shaped mask topped by a circular platform bearing a stylized four-legged animal painted in red and blue dots, surmounted by a vertical arrow. The central wooden face, framed by large, erect animal ears, is coated with a white slip, with the eyes outlined in blue. This type of mask played an important role in the closing ceremonies of the male initiation society, the Mukanda. Made in secret in bush camps, it was worn by the young initiates during their festive return to the village, symbolically marking their death as children and their rebirth as responsible men. Condition: The raffia fibers are very dense. A few surface creases or cracks consistent with the nature of the materials and the age of the object. Research and documentation: Coryse Mwape, art historian specializing in ancient African art. Internal ref.: 307