The Ngbaka are an ethnic group living on the Gemena Plateau of the northern Democratic Republic of Congo. They share cultural similarities with their neighbours, the Gbaya, Ngbandi, and Ngombe. This is a large helmet mask carved in heavy wood, massive concave facial planes, the concave heart-shaped face is covered in a layer of white kaolin and a small open mouth. It has a combined ear and cheek scarification which creates an arrow-like form with a striated shaft found on numerous masks from this region. These masks were used during initiation ceremonies known as Ganza or Gaza for young men and also during agricultural ceremonies. This is an interesting mask with a brown patina and signs of old age.
- Material: Wood and Kaolin
- Age:55-70yrs
- Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Condition: Good
- SKU: CMSK-050
- Weight: 0.6 kg
- Dimensions: 18 x 27 x 7 cm