The Lega is an ethnic group found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Lega tribe art is created for primarily their semisecret associations of men and women, such as the Bwami society of the Lega peoples. The teachings of Bwami are a cornerstone of all aspects of life, guiding the moral development of the individual and governing relations with others. Bwami doctrine is represented by wood and ivory masks, heads, and small figures, all of which play a vital role during initiation into the society’s highest grades. Lega masks refer to ancestors and are passed from one generation of initiates to the next as symbols of continuity. Lega masks were used for the instruction and initiation ceremonies ceremony rites into the different progressive levels of Bwami society, the association that Lega men rise through with lifelong deeds and often learning up the hierarchy. These masks with horns, known as Kayamba masks are used only in a few regions of Lega land in the DRC – thus they are rare masks. They are used by men and women in ceremonies with singing, drama, etc. They usually belong to accomplished teachers and it is believed to be a passport mask because of its small size, it was used to identify teachers during meetings and ceremonies. The following mask is made from light wood, has visible spots and has a brown patina and shows good signs of age and usage.
- Material: wood and string at the back
- Age:approx 50-60yrs
- Origin: Democratic Republic Of Congo
- Condition: Good
- SKU: LMIN-053
- Weight: 0.1 kg
- Dimensions: 10 x 25.3 x 5 cm