Bwami Society Maskette

Artist Unknown, African, Lega Peoples Democratic Republic of the Congo1900/1975

Details

Title: Bwami Society Maskette
Creator: Artist Unknown, African, Lega Peoples Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date Created: 1900/1975
Location: Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Africa
Physical Dimensions: w15.7 x h19.5 x d6.3 mm (work)
Label Copy: An object that looks like a mask may function in contexts other than masquerade. In the Lega men's initiation society called bwami masks are used to transfer political and religious knowledge from generation to generation. The term idimu may be loosely translated as "ancestor." But this mask does not represent a specific ancestor; it signifies instead both a senior bwami initiate who is regarded as a living ancestor, as well as the esoteric knowledge that he wields and that is ascribed to the mask.
Type: Costume and Costume Accessory
External Link: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1985-sl-1.151/1985_1.151.JPG?lasttype=boolean;lastview=thumbnail;resnum=1;sel9=ic_exact;size=20;sort=relevance;start=1;subview=detail;view=entry;rgn1=musart_an;select1=starts;q1=1985%2F1.151
Medium: wood, kaolin

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