A huge Songye 'Kifwebe' Tribal mask sourced from The DRC Congo. This is a male mask which is indicated from the marked sagittal comb. The seperate facial parts of the mask and its channeled decor have been associate dwith animals whose behaviour is imitated during the masks performance. The white pigments stands for positive traits such as purity and peace and the black pigments symbolise darkness and evil magic. The Kifwebe masking tradition was originally a power instrument used by a mens association whose members were respected and feared for the magic practices they employed. They used these masks on various ritual occasions such as the death or investiture of a chief in initiation and new moon rites and also to maintain law and order and in the case of war, to encourage their own warriors and intimidate the enemy. Ref: 'Spirits Speak' Stepan & Hahner This is a superb example of an old Songye mask showing good signs of age and Tribal use.

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