Lega mask African Tribal Face Mask Wood Hand Carved Wall Hanging Art-3607

  
Lega mask African Tribal Face Mask Wood Hand Carved Wall Hanging Art-62/26.5 CM. This African masks Lega indicated the stage that its holder had reached within the Bwami masks, a learning society composed of different grades. Thick partially chipped kaolin masks patina. Within the Léga, the Bwami society, open to men and women, organized social and political life.

There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. Following their exodus from Uganda during the 17th century, the Lega settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in the DRC. The role of chief, kindi, is held by the oldest man in the clan, who must be the highest ranking. Social recognition and authority also had to be earned individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), good character, intelligence, and irreproachable behavior.

During ritual ceremonies, Idumu masks were presented to initiates placed on a barrier and surrounded by masks of smaller format. The passage of a rank indicated the acquisition of a certain individual wisdom and morality. An original patina covers the item. African Art Mask Hand Carved Wooden decor Songye Kifwebe Kilume mask-3637. African Tribal Face Mask Wood Hand Carved Wall Hang Lega Mask Bwami Society-3292. Hand Carved Wooden African Tribal Dogon deur-3353. Vintage Hand African African Nkisi-Nkondi power figure, nail fetish, Congo -3438. We make deliveries on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\African\1900-Now\Masks". The seller is "naga_4823" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to Canada.

1. Country/Region of Manufacture: Congo
2. Culture: African
3. Handmade: Yes
4. Modified Item: No
5. Provenance: Ownership History Not Available
6. Time Period Manufactured: 1600-1900