The Salampasu, in south-western Congo, had a warrior group, the ‘ibuku society’. At the dances of this ibuku group only successful, outstanding and important warriors were allowed to wear such ‘mukinka masks’ covered with copper strips. The present ‘mukinka mask’ bears on the front side this exceptional coating of copper. Carved in hard, brown wood in typical Salampasu form. With the typical hairstyle of palm leaf strips woven into round balls, a widely protruding, broad forehead with small peg-shaped ears at the sides, with rectangular, deep-set eyes and a short, broad nose. Beneath sits the rectangular, trapezoidal mouth with two pointed rows of teeth. In the pointed chin below is a hole, through which a ‘beard’ made of braided plant fibres is affixed. The border of the hairstyle above, the ears and the rims of the eyes, as well as the two rows of teeth were originally coloured in white. On the reverse a net of twisted fibre cords is attached, by means of which the dancer could affix the mask to his head. A perfectly executed ‘mukinka mask’ of the Salampasu. There is no significant damage. With visibly good, partially shiny patina at front and back, inside.
Height: 41 cm (without ‘beard’); width: c. 28 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Private Collection of Prof. Dr. Rudolf Leopold, Vienna.

Lit.: ‘100 peoples of Zaire and their sculpture’ by Marc. L. Felix, p. 153, ill. 4, 5; ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 527.