The Western Pende live in western Congo (the Eastern Pende also exist, however they migrated to the eastern Congo in the 17th century.)
The Western Pende possess an extensive repertoire of so-called ‘mbuya masks’, the types of which appear at feasts for initiation ceremonies. The present ‘mbuya mask’ depicts a wise, old man or perhaps an important ancestor with a long beard and is called ‘muyombo’ or ‘giwoyo’. It is carved from lightweight, light-coloured wood and bears remains of originally black-brown and red colouring. It is a so-called head mask, that is worn tilted above the forehead. The masked dancer peers out to the left and right of the long, narrow beard.
This ‘old man mask’ shows the typical style of the Western Pende: the black-dyed hairstyle is formed from three crests graduating towards the back and ends at the front in 3 triangles pointing towards the distinctly protruding forehead. The eyebrows almost go through the wood and lie horizontally above the closed, slit eyes with ‘hanging’ lids (Pende masks always have (‘bedroom eyes’). On both sides sit small, protruding ears above pronounced, wide cheekbones. In the centre of the face lies a slightly upturned nose above a small, pointed mouth. The long goatee is textured with a deep, geometric relief and has holes all along the edges (through which raffia fibres can be tied).
This is a very old, well ‘danced’ mask with some colour abrasion on exposed areas, some small breakages on the nose, left ear, end of the beard and behind, as well as a large missing piece on the right side of the beard.
Overall it has a very good, partly shiny usage patina on all sides (also behind, on the inside). Height: 35 cm (with beard); around 1900 to the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Austrian Private Collection.

Lit.:
'Pende' by Z. S. Strother, ill. 10, 11, 12, 13.