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.