The Mbunda live in West Zambia, on either side of the Angolan border. They are subdivided into groups (Subiya, Mbalango etc). The 'Sachihongo masks' of the Mbunda denote a powerful, mighty chieftain, a hunter and a medicine man, who had lived a long time ago. This mask of the ‘wise, old grandee’ is used in the initiation of boys where it embodies the figure of the all adjudicating respected authority. Carved in lightweight, light-coloured wood and coloured dark brown. On the front side can be found traces of additional reddish colouring (perhaps sacrificial offerings with powdered redwood). The mask shows the typical style of the Mbunda-Mbalango: it is circular and on its outer rim, partly broken due to age, are all-round fastening eyelets for a mask costume. Wavy lines in relief as well as almond-shaped eyes, the small, triangular nose and the wide mouth with the pointy rows of teeth appear in most of the 'Sachihongo masks' of the Mbunda. But very typical for the style of the Mbalango subgroup of the Mbunda are nevertheless the two flat ‘hanging’ cheeks of this ‘Sachihongo mask’. An interesting object with a few minor old crack and losses (and the rim and the left eye), minimal slight tears. Boasting a convincing old shiny patina at the front and back as a result of protracted use. Very rare. Diameter: c. 25 cm. Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
German Private Collection.

Lit.:
'Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture' by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 432; 'The Tribal Arts of Africa' by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, ill. p. 203.