CONGO DRC

LARGE LEGA BWAMI MUMINIA MASK
For a very similar mask, see Maniema, Marc Léo Félix pages 74 and 75
Most likely Muminia, but it is sometimes difficult to differentiate them from Idimu masks, if this was not specified by a member of the Bwami during the acquisition
Muminia masks are rare, they are used during initiation rites to the second grade of the highest level of Bwami (Lutumbo Lwa Yananio)
These are generally fairly large masks (compared to other Lega masks) They are the collective property of the community
Like most Lega objects, they are not the representation of an ancestor or a spirit but are used to transmit philosophical values in scenes illustrating the aphorisms of which they are undisputed specialists
All Lega masks were used as part of the cult of the Bwami, an association that organized the social structure and ensured the stability of the Lega community.
The Lega are a Bantu forest people of Central Africa, established in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the provinces of South Kivu and Maniema.

Characteristics:
TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask.
ETHNICAL GROUP: Lega .
ORIGINE: Democratic Republic of Congo.
DRC (ex Belgian Congo, ex Zaïre).
MATÉRIAL: Wood
DIMENSIONS: About 10 3/4 Inches high
CONDITION: Medium / Bad:
Restored
Please have a look on the pictures.
The base is NOT included
BIBLIOGRAPHIE / BIBLIOGRAPHY :
- LEGA. ETHIQUE ET BEAUTE AU COEUR DE L'AFRIQUE. DANIEL P. BIEBUYCK. 2002. KBC.
- JOYAUX LEGA DE LA COLLECTION BENOIT ROUSSEAU. VIVIANE BAEKE, MRAC ET BENOIT ROUSSEAU. 2013. BRUNEAF.
- A LA RECHERCHE DU SENS DU BWAMI, AU FIL D'UNE COLLECTION PAS COMME LES AUTRES. VIVIANE BAEKE. SANS DATE. MUSÉE ROYAL DE L'AFRIQUE CENTRALE
- LA SCULPTURE DES LEGA. DANIEL P. BIEBUYCK. 1994. GALERIE HELENE ET PHILIPPE LELOUP- PARIS-NEW-YORK.
- THE ARTS OF ZAIRE, VOL II EASTERN ZAIRE. DANIEL P. BIEBUYCK. 1986 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS.
- L'ART DES LEGA D'AFRIQUE CENTRALE, ELIZABETH L. CAMERON. 2013. MUSEE DU QUAI BRANLY.
- LEGA CULTURE. ART, INITIATION AND MORAL PHILOSOPHY AMONG A CENTRAL AFRICAN PEOPLE. DANIEL P. BIEBUYCK. 1973. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS.
- LES LEGA ET LEUR ART. SUR LES TRACES D’UN REVEUR EGARE AU CONGOLAND. EMILE-ALEXANDRE GEORGES. 2005. MUSEE ROYAL DE L'AFRIQUE CENTRALE.
- L'ART LEGA - GRANDEUR ET HUMILITE. DANS LA COLLECTION VALLIER
(2016, VALENTINE PLISNIER ET MICHEL BOULANGER)
- 100 PEOPLES OF ZAIRE AND THEIR SCULPTURE. THE HANDBOOK FOR COLLECTORS, SCHOLARS AND STUDENTS, MARC LEO FELIX, BRUXELLES : ZAIRE BASIN ART HISTORY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 1987

Reserve: $400.00

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