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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Lega : Lega Wooden Face Mask with Raffia Beard
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Lega Wooden Face Mask with Raffia Beard - PF.3950
Origin: Southeastern Congo
Circa: 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
11.75" (29.8cm) high
x 7.5" (19.1cm) wide
Collection: African
Medium: Wood, Paint, Raffia
Additional Information: as
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
The Lega tribe lives in the virgin forest of the
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, between
the great lakes and the Lualaba River. Their
principle occupations are fishing, hunting and
farming. Within each region there are different
societies, each with its own members and
particular purpose. The Bwami association, for
instance, regulated the social and political life of
the Lega. It was hierarchical and to pass from
one stage to the other, a series of initiations, gifts
and payments ordered by the lineage were
needed, which showed that and individual had
attained a certain wisdom and acquired a
personal moral sense.
A mask such as this beautiful example would
probably have belonged to the earth clan. Every
time the mask was brought out for a ceremony it
was painted with white pembe. This celebration
was accompanied by dramatic performances of
song, dance, and recitations of proverbs. This
special mask is not only distinctive in its vibrant
white color, but also the lovely heart-shaped face,
dots on black covering the head, down the sides
and on the chin, along with the richly textured
beard.
A very unusual feature of Lega is that they judged
the quality of sculpture on the basis of
effectiveness as well as aesthetic appearance. In
other words, based on how well it communicated
ideas important to an association, such as
abstract concepts of morality, wisdom etc. With
its expressive eyes and delicate mouth, this
wonderfully sensitive mask has proven its
effectiveness, through sheer power and beauty,
traversing oceans, continents, cultures, time and
space- transcending the elements to move us
with its dignity and quiet strength.
- (PF.3950)
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