Makonde Helmet Mask, Mozambique, African Start Price USD 261.00 Current Price USD 261.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, July 16, 2008 End Time Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Makonde Helmet Mask, Mozambique, African' Description Title: Makonde Helmet Mask, Mozambique Type of Object: Helmet Mask Ethnic Group: Makonde Country of Origin: Mozambique Materials: Wood Approximate Age: 20th Century Dimensions: 10.5 inches Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: Old bug Damage Additional Information: A well carved mask from the Makonde of Mozambique The Makonde of Tanzania and Mozambique are one of the most prolific art producing peoples in eastern Africa. One of the most prominent of these arts are the life size helmet masks called Lipico which are worn on the top of the head partially covering the face and slightly tipped upward so that the dancer can see. Masks play a prominent role in Makonde life serving to mark the end of the initiation and circumcision cycle for boys as they move into manhood. The Lipico masks show a wide range of Makonde life and society as they depict initiates, villagers, coastal Arabs and colonial officials. In fact this mask is show wearing a colonial style hat. Makonde will embellish their masks with human hair and beards, insert pegs for teeth, will whiten the eyes and in a quest for realism often show human deformities. This well carved helmet mask with naturalistic displays traditional Makonde patterns of scarification with zig-zag designs on the forehead and at the sides of the face. This elaborate scarification marks various stages of an initiates passage into full maturity and adult responsibility for it literally marks a man s advancement in social, political and ritual status. This scarification is represented most often by the application of thin lines of wax or as in this mask by carving onto the surface of the mask. It also has red coloring matter to represent the eyes. This mask was worn on top of the head. Sometimes they have a lip plug, which makonde men used to wear. The wood ids njala wood. The mask was used for boys' circumcision rites and other ceremonies. Scarification, such as that seen on the mask, was done as a part of initiation ceremonies, and also when a ranking member of society assumed a more important political status or social level. For several splendid examples and more information, see Bordogna's A TANZANIAN TRADITION.**038784** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!