Description

Title: Rare initiation BEMBE Mask 6 eyes Congo DRC African Tribal Art 1302

Description: CONGO DRC
Rare BEMBE initiation mask
(M'cwe Wa Wondolomina)
Beautiful initiation mask with 6 eyes
According to Pol Pierre Gossiaux (from ULG, unfortunately deceased), who was in my sense the greatest specialist in this tribe in eastern Congo DRC),
this mask was used in the ritual of circumcision, and worn by the circumciser
- the upper pair of eyes referred to the open gaze on the truth and the reality of the initiator who was to illuminate the sight of the circumcised
- the sight of the circumcised is symbolized by the central pair of eyes
- The lower pair of eyes could evoke the blindness of uninitiated children, always immersed in the night of the profane worlds
You can see a similar mask llustrated in "Masks in Congo" pages 268 fig139
The Bembe are based in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, north of Lake Tanganyika. (Do not confuse them with the Beembe who sometimes also spell Bembe and who are a people of the Kongo group)
They see themselves as the descendants of the Lega of which they are culturally close. The Bwamé of the Bembe has much in common with the Bwami of the Lega
At the same time, they have other secret associations such as Elunda and Alunga, whose mask helmets are well known by Congo art lovers.
Characteristics:

TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask.
ETHNICAL GROUP: Bembe.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic Congo
MATERIAL: Wood.
DIMENSIONS: About 15 1/4 inches high.
21 1/2 " with the base
CONDITION: Medium
Please have a look on pictures.
The base is included
BIBLIOGRAPHIE - BIBLIOGRAPHY :

- LE BWAME DU LEOPARD DES BABEMBE (KIVU-CONGO), POL-PIERRE GOSSIAUX, ULG 2000-2006
- MASKS IN CONGO, VIVIANE BAEKE, BAEKE, ARTHUR BOURGEOIS, KELLIM BROWN, DAVID BINKLEY, RIK CEYSSENS, MARC LEO FELIX, POL PIERRE GOSSIAUX, MANUEL JORDANL, CONSTANTIN PETRIDIS, ZOE STROHER, JULIEN VOLPER, PAN YANQIN. EDITION MARC LEO FELIX, 2016
- 100 PEOPLES OF ZAIRE AND THEIR SCULPTURE. THE HANDBOOK FOR COLLECTORS, SCHOLARS AND STUDENTS, MAR LEO FELIX, BRUXELLES : ZAIRE BASIN ART HISTORY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 1987
- Face of the Spirits ; Masks from the Zaire Basin, Frank Herreman, Constantijn Petridis,

Reserve: $600.00

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Rare initiation BEMBE Mask 6 eyes Congo DRC African Tribal Art 1302

10404

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53458

Primitive Passions: Exclusive Tribal Art Sale

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