Location: Mweka, West Kasai Providence, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) Materials: Wood, beads, cowry shells, raffia cloth, animal hair, twine. Condition: Excellent Size: 10 inches wide (head only); 17 inches from shoulder flap to shoulder flap; 24 inches in length from top of head to end of front flap. The Mboom mask is carved from a single piece of wood, with raffia cloth and bead and shell embellishments attached. Dancers see through the two nose holes. This mask features the traditional enlarged brow and broad nose, with bands of beads on the face, temples and back of the head. The beadwork pattern at the temples imitate ethnic tattoos and the design at the back of the head is one associated with royalty. This mask is capped by an array of cowry shells. The Kuba people live in the lower Kasai region, between the Kasai River and the Sankuru River, in central Congo (DRC). This area is a lush surroundings of dense forest and savannah plains. They were loosely unified under a Bushoong king, until colonial rule led to a decline in the king's authority. Today they are organized into a federation of 18 chiefdom states, the approximately 200,000 Kuba are a diverse group that share a single economy (predominately agricultural, supplimented with hunting) and many common cultural traditions. The three most significant Kuba masks represent legendary heroes from their mythical past, displaying the mythical beginnings of the Kuba royal line and to send appeals to the ancestors. These masks are worn in dances during special celebrations, initiation rites and royal events. Three royal mask types can be seen in the ceremonies: the tailored Mwaash a Mbooy mask represents Woot (the original Kuba king) and the subsequent kings; the feminine Ngaady Mwaash aMbooy, representing the incestuous sister/wife of Woot; and the wooden helmet mask, Mboom, representing the pygmy commoner who tried to lure the king's wife away. The elaborate decoration of the shells, beads, cloth, fur and bright pigment colors is reserved for royal articles like these masks. Valuable imported cowry shells and beads were traditional trade items in Kuba society and indicate wealth and prestige and used to embellish garments, furniture, baskets and masks. Further information on Kuba art, culture and masks can be found in two excellent sources: CORNET, JOSEPH, A Survey of Zairian Art: The Bronson Collection, Raleigh, N.C.: North Carolina Museum of Art, 1978. Art From Zaire: 100 Masterworks from the National Collection, New York: The African-American Institute, 1975. VANSINA, JAN, The Children of Woot: A History of the Kuba People. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 1978. Free Shipping in Continental US! |