Africa | Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lega Mask
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lukwakongo mask
Carved wood, pigments and fibers
Early 20th century
Height : 13 ¾ in. (35 cm) with the beard
8 ¼ in. (21 cm) without the beard
Ex Belgian colonial collection
Ex collection Patric Claes, Belgium
Ex Neumeister, Munich, 17 May 2014 lot 175
Lega Lukwakongo mask 21 cm / Galerie Flak
Price on request
This elegant Lega mask combines refinement and great expressivity. It conveys a strong sense of power and mystery.
As stated by the AfricaMuseum in Tervuren, Belgium, « Lega masks, worn during Bwami initiations, are usually characterized by a heart-shaped, concave face. In contrast with most other African masks, which hide the wearer’s face, Lega masks can be worn on the side or the back of the head, hung from a beard or carried in the hands. They can also be piled up or grouped on the ground, or suspended from a fence or a pole.
The most common type of Lega mask is the small lukwakongo mask, which often has a fibre beard, symbolizing old age. The name is associated with death and the dead. These masks are the personal possessions of the bwami members who have
reached yananio, the penultimate level. Although they are not portraits and do not represent a specific ancestor, the masks are heirlooms from former initiates and so evoke happy memories.
Most important is the idea that the deceased are not really dead, but go on living through the masks they have left behind, thus allowing their descendants to carry on their traditions.
The aphorisms recited as an accompaniment during the rituals refer to the philosophical and moral principles of the bwami. »
As stated by the AfricaMuseum in Tervuren, Belgium, « Lega masks, worn during Bwami initiations, are usually characterized by a heart-shaped, concave face. In contrast with most other African masks, which hide the wearer’s face, Lega masks can be worn on the side or the back of the head, hung from a beard or carried in the hands. They can also be piled up or grouped on the ground, or suspended from a fence or a pole.
The most common type of Lega mask is the small lukwakongo mask, which often has a fibre beard, symbolizing old age. The name is associated with death and the dead. These masks are the personal possessions of the bwami members who have
reached yananio, the penultimate level. Although they are not portraits and do not represent a specific ancestor, the masks are heirlooms from former initiates and so evoke happy memories.
Most important is the idea that the deceased are not really dead, but go on living through the masks they have left behind, thus allowing their descendants to carry on their traditions.
The aphorisms recited as an accompaniment during the rituals refer to the philosophical and moral principles of the bwami. »
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