Smaller identity masks such as this one, known as a ‘lukwakongo’, belong to the members of the Bwami society of the Lega, in eastern Congo. They are not worn on the face. Every member of the Bwami has a lukwakongo mask. They are worn on the upper arm or on the temple. These small identity masks are placed on wooden posts during Bwami society gatherings. This enables every guest to see at a glance who is already in attendance. These small identity masks also provide information as to the owner’s rank within the Bwami society. After the death of the owner, the lukwakongo mask is laid upon his grave. The present lukwakongo mask is carved from medium-weight brown wood and displays the shape typical of Lega masks: oval, with a heart-shaped face that cups towards the middle, coffee bean eyes carved in relief, with a long, flat nose featuring a notched middle line above a small open mouth. The heart-shaped face was originally white as a result of kaolin clay, and the outer edge, forehead and chin were dyed blackish brown. A piece with some colour abrasion due to age, small, old breakages to the lower and upper edges of the mask on the reverse, a small crack to the top of the front side that continues to the left eye, and a good shiny patina on all sides.
Height: 20.5 cm; width: 11.5 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: South African private collection.

Lit.: ‘Joyaux Lega’ by Benoit Rousseau, ill. p. 32, ill. 2, 3, 6; ‘L’art des Lega’ catalogue of the Musée du Quai Branly Paris, ill. 155, 156.