The present male mask type of the Chokwe people, called ‘Chihongo’, depicts a powerful ancestor. Originally, ‘Chihongo masks’ were used only by chiefs and one of their sons during dances. With wild dance movements and full body costumes, the Chokwe chiefs expressed their authority, collected tributes and pronounced judgements while wearing this mask. If the ‘Chihongo mask’ pointed at one of the viewers, in former times this gesture could also mean a death sentence! The present ‘Chihongo mask’ is made of hard wood in a typical shape, coloured black and brown on the front: On its high forehead it displays the tribal mark 'Cingelyengelye' (a type of 'Maltese cross'), high eyebrow arches, slit, deep-set eyes, scarification mark son both cheeks, also called ‘tears’, an open mouth with carved rows of teeth and the typical, round chin projection of all 'Chihongo masks'. It is a rare feature that the original 'hairstyle' of Chokwe mask is also preserved: made of raffia bast, local raffia fabric and old brown leather. An old piece, with good usage patina (also inside!) and minor age damage (a small, old fracture on the right eye, colour slightly scuffed). First half of the 20th century; H: 22 cm. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian collection.

Literature: 'La Sculpture Tshokwe' by Marie-Louise Bastin, ill. 34 to 37a; 'Chokwe' by Manuel Jordan, ill. 69, 70, 71; 'Afrikanische Kunst - Schätze vom Zaire' by Joseph Cornet, ill. 86; et al.