The Sukuma are a Bantu ethnic group inhabiting the south-eastern African Great Lakes region in Tanzania. Sukuma means “north” and refers to “people of the north. The Salampasu made only two types of masks, the anthropomorphic and zoomorphic. Sukuma masks served various purposes in society, they were employed during dance ceremonies in the dry season, they were individually owned and commissioned to commemorate a dead person from the owner’s social circle as advised by a diviner, they were also used during initiation ceremonies. Sukuma masks have a fearful expression, exaggerated features, this particular mask has a shallow face, dark patina, scarifications and signs of old age due to extensive usage.
- Condition: Good
- Material: Wood
- Age:50-60yrs
- Origin: Tanzania
- SKU: LMSK-052
- Weight: 1.5 kg
- Dimensions: 26 x 40.5 x 12 cm