The Kwame people (also called Bakwame) are a small tribe in the rain forest of northeastern Congo (Maniema province). They are the northern neighbours of the Lega (also Rega or Warega), with whose masks the Kwame people share some stylistic features. Among these are the heart-shaped, concave face, and the so-called ‘coffee bean eyes’ etc. The Kwame people are also organised in a ‘Bwami society’ (like the Lega people) and only ‘Bwami’ members are allowed to wear these masks in initiation ceremonies. The present Kwame mask, also called 'Nzumbi', is made of hard, lightweight, brown wood and dyed black on both sides. It displays a concave face with dominant, ‘coffee bean eyes', a large nose with a vertical tattoo line and a small, slit mouth. The front side reveals very old, black shiny patina, also some dark red dots as decoration as well as the remains of black tree resin on the entire outer edge. An all-round wreath of feathers or the mask costume was originally attached to this area. The reverse of the mask displays very old, shiny usage patina. Minor age damage: colour scuffed, small holes, a fracture on the back rim in the upper section. Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century; H: 29 cm. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian collection.

Literature: 'Maniema' by Marc L. Felix, p. 104.