Mask

Unknown

19th–20th century · Wood, raffia, fur, pigment · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

The Leele and Kuba living in the Kasai River region trace their origins to Woot, a shared founding ancestor. Woot is periodically brought to life in masquerades in the guise of mwaash aMbooy, a wise old man with a gray beard. While Kuba examples of mwaash aMbooy face masks abound, little documentation exists for their Leele corollaries. This mask’s likely connection with that founding figure is reinforced by its pronounced beard and cylindrical knobs emphasizing either temple, the locus of spiritual power and divination. During the 1980s Leele masks were performed at harvest ceremonies and the funerals of important individuals. When not in use, a designated member of the village’s founding family was charged with each mask’s care.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th–20th century

Medium

Wood, raffia, fur, pigment

Culture

Leele peoples

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Schindler, 1967