The Teke-Tsaye, in northwestern Congo, had a male secret society known as ‘Kidumu’. It was in charge of all the important events in the life of the villages: initiations, weddings and funerals. At the conclusion of the aforementioned rituals, a single ‘Kidumu dancer’ always performed with this disc-shaped, flat mask. The present ‘Kidumu mask, made of lightweight wood, is dark brown and coloured in white by means of kaolin. It displays the typical structure of this mask type: almost round, divided in half at its centre. In this diagonal groove are the slits for the eyes of the dancer. The mask face is executed in relief: with a short, broad nose, large ‘eyes’ accentuated in white, a small, round mouth underneath, and a stylised half-figure with raised arms and an applied piece of animal skin in the upper section. Eight white semicircles and holes used for fastening a mask costume are located along the outer edge: the ones above for a wreath of bird feathers, those below for a short hanging of plant fibres. Overall an old piece with excellent usage patina (see the fastening eyelets!), especially on the back (fabric supports for the dancer are still present!). In very good condition, only minor age damage. First third of the 20th century; dimensions: 32 cm x 31 cm. (ME)

Provenance: French private collection.

Lit.: ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 166; ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 326.