Songye Kifwebe mask, female, HUGE 21 inches Start Price USD 450.00 Current Price USD 450.00 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 'Songye Kifwebe mask, female, HUGE 21 inches' Description Songye kifwebe female mask HUGE African Artifact Type of Object: Mask Ethnic Group: Songye Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo Materials: Wood, pigment, fur Approximate Age: Mid 20th Century Dimensions: Height is 21 inches Overall Condition: Excellent Damage, Repair: None Additional Information: Kifwebe mask-This is the most famous of the Songye masks, made for the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe Secret society. "Kifwebe" means "Mask" in the Songye language. The face generally is covered with linear incisions which are sometimes pigmented, the mouth is most often square and protruding. If it has a central crest, it is masculine; if not, feminine. The size of the crest determines the magical power of the mask. During initiation, circumcision, or funeral ceremonies. According to Hersak (1985: 168): 'The striated masks, or kifwebe, are used as agents of a tradition and figures of authority to exercise social and political control through practices of evil magic and witchcraft by the members of the bwadi bwa kifwebe society. Among the societies' public performances, three mask types exist: two grades of male and one female mask. Male masks are distinguished by a striated pattern of three colors while the female one is predominantly white with the features accented in black and some red... The Kifwebe tradition which exists also among the Luba, seems to have originated south of the eastern chiefdom in an area of Luba/Songe admixture. The Songe confirm this provenance by the interpretation that the kifwebe striations relate (apart from the zebra) to a pugnacious species of striped bushbuck antelope which inhabited the area. Recommended Reading: For examples, and more information, see Bacquart's TRIBAL ARTS OF AFRICA and Cornet's A SURVEY OF ZAIRIAN ART-THE BRONSON COLLECTION.**022750** 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!