D.R. Congo

Wood, 33 cm
Old inventory number on the edge, verso: "AM002"

Provenance:
Private collection, Belgium

This old Lwalua mask with its marvelous patina of use and dotted decoration, is a perfect example of the mondo (or mvondo) type.
Famous for their masks, the Lwalua know four types of masks used in the ceremonies of the Ngongo, a society that is responsible for the initiation and circumcision of young men. Besides one female type of mask, three male types exist. Of those the mkaki and mondo (or mvondo), are similar in design except for the shape of the nose, which represents the bill of a certain bird. With its strongly projecting triangular nose, the mvondo represents the powerful bill of the hornbill. This bird is a recurrent figure in African sculpture. Hornbills mate for life, and every year the female lays her eggs in the hollow of a tree that is sealed off with clay, so the female can safely hatch her eggs inside. This passing from outside into the nest stands as a metaphor for communication with the spirits. As such, hornbill masks like the mvondo were also used in hunting and fertility rites, to gain the goodwill of the spirits.