The Luba in south-east Congo also know – just as their neighbours, the Songye – the male secret society ‘bwadi bwa kifwebe’. This secret society fulfils police functions and appears in masks and full body costumes at initiations and funerals. In contrast to the better-known ‘kifwebe masks’ of the Songye, the ‘kifwebe’ of the Luba are rounder, or even completely round, and dyed dark brown to black.
The present mask is such a round ‘kifwebe mask’ of the Luba. Carved of hard, dark wood, dyed brown-black, with large, round and slit eyes, a broad, flat crest above forehead and nose, protruding, rectangular mouth and with the characteristic lines in relief over the entire mask face, as with all ‘kifwebe masks’ (Luba and Songye). With remains of red pigment in the relief lines, two old breaks to the back rim (with original repairs), as well as with good usage patina on the front and back, on the inside.
Height: 26 cm; width: 22 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: French private collection; Private collection, Vienna.

Lit.: ‘Under the influence of the Songye’ by Julian Volper, ill. 1, 2, 16, 17, 43, 46 et passim; ‘Luba’ by Francois Neyt, ill. p. 203.