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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Kuba Masks : Kuba Ngaady a Mwaash Mask
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Kuba Ngaady a Mwaash Mask - PF.5999
Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Circa: 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
10.25" (26.0cm) high
x 6" (15.2cm) wide
Collection: African
Medium: Mixed Media
$4,200.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
The Kuba people are a confederation of nineteen
ethnic groups dominated by the Bushong.
Although the Kuba have over twenty different
types of mask, this type is the most important.
Called Ngaady a Mwaash, this mask belongs to
the royal family. Worn during public ceremonies,
the masqueraders invoke the Bushong myth of
creation and historical events as well. The mask
represents the sister and wife of Woot,
progenitor of the Bushong. Stylistically, Ngaady
masks consist of a rather naturalistic face
painted with triangular geometric pattern
imitating the texture of the pangolin’s scales.
The mask is finished by a raffia hood sewn with
cowrie shells and glass beads. The nose and
mouth of the mask are decorated with a strip of
fabric covered in beads, a feature typically found
only on royal masks. The well-defined contours
of the forehead with points near the temples
relates to the characteristic Kuba hairstyle.
Gazing upon this sumptuous mask, we are
looking into the eyes of royalty. The beauty of
this mask invokes the splendor of the Kuba
culture, its history and its myths.
- (PF.5999)
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