Mukenga Mask
Mukyeem Mask
Helmet Mask
Kuba People
Kasai region
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Central Africa
Early / Mid 20th Century
Cowrie Shell , Monkey Hide, Beads, Raffia, Natural Fibers.
21” tall x 17” x 17”
Collected by naturalist and philanthropist, Eli Weiss in the 1980’s.
The mukenga mask is worn along with a richly layered costume of raffia and beaded ornaments at funerals of titleholders in the northern part of the Kuba Kingdom. Its form and materials comprise elements associated with status and leadership, including cowrie shells, leopard fur, monkey hair, glass beads, and red tail feathers of the African gray parrot. A prominent trunk and two tusks refer to the elephant, the supreme symbol of wealth and leadership among the Kuba.
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David Dixon and the Strange Imports Team
www.strangeimports.com