CHOKWE
- Democratic Republic of
the Congo/Zaire/Zambia
The most powerful and
important Chokwe mask is known as Chikunga. It is
highly charged with power and believed to be sacred,
chikunga is used during delegation ceremonies of a
chief and sacrifices to the ancestors. These masks
are made of barkcloth stretched over an armature of
wickerwork, covered over with black resin and painted
with red and white designs. Chikunga is worn only
by the current chief of a group.
Mukanda masks play
a role in male initiation. The Mukanda is an initiatory
organisation through which religion, art, and social
organization are transmitted from one generation to
the next. Mukanda training lasts from one to two years.
Boys between the ages of around 8 and 12 are abandoned
in a camp in the wilderness, away from the village.
There they are circumcised and spend several months
in a special lodge where they are given their anticipated
roles as men. Part of their instruction is to teach
the boys the history and traditions of the group and
secrets that go with with the wearing and making of
masks. Mukanda masks are also made of barkcloth over
an armature of wicker. They are also covered with
a layer of black resin, which can be modeled before
it is decorated with pieces of colored cloth.
Chokwe masks have come
to be used primarily for entertainment. Roaming actors
wearing these masks travel from village to village,
living on gifts received at performances. Most masks
are carved of wood. The most popular and best-known
entertainment masks are chihongo, spirit of wealth,
and pwo, his consort. Skinny features, sunken cheeks,
and bulging beard of an elder characterize a chihongo
mask. Chihongo was formerly worn only by a chief or
by one of his sons as they traveled through their
area demanding tribute in exchange for the protection
that the spirit masks gave. While chihongo brings
good fortune, his female counterpart, pwo, is an example
of womanhood, an ancestral female who encourages fertility.
As an ancestor, she is imagined as an elderly woman.
The eyes closed to narrow slits conjure up those of
a deceased person. The facial decoration on the surface
are considered female. Recently pwo has become known
as mwana pwo, a young woman. It symbolises young women
who undergone initiation and are ready for marriage.
