Congolese Songye People Mask: "Kifwebe"

This is a Congolese Songye People Kifwebe mask from the Congo River area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kifwebe masks are made for the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe association, a type of policing society that provided a means of controlling social behavior. These masks appeared at the installation and death of a chief. Kifwebe masks were also used at performances during the initiation rites of young men.

Masks are part of a complete costume consisting of a hood attached to the mask, a shirt and pants made from woven bark. This is a male mask. Male masks are aggressive in their general appearance as well as in their comportment during their performances and village visits. The mask has a huge forehead where the magical strength of the mask is said to be. Male masks, and their wearers, may be involved in witchcraft, sorcery, spell-casting and the destruction of diseases and epidemics.

For the most part Kifwebe masks no longer function to maintain social control among the Songye except in the southeastern regions bordering on Luba territory.
Source:
http://www.randafricanart.com/Songye_Kifwebe_female_MF.html http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/169088/Female_Kifwebe_Mask