maschera songye ARTE AFRICANA MASCHERA DEL CONGO VALUE
Songye Kifwebe Mask Female Congo Africa Country of Origin: Democractic Republic of Congo People: Songye Materials: Wood, pigment Approximate Age 20th century Dimensions 17.5x8x4 inches Highly stylized face mask unique Songye form striated scarifications true tribal usage aged surface SUPERB ABSTRACTION: HAND CARVED FROM ONE PIECE OF WOOD THE SONGYE ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR ABSTRACT KIFWEBE MASKS USED BY THE "BWADI BWA" SECRET SOCIETY WHICH PROVIDES A MEANS OF CONTROLLING SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE SONGYE, "KIFWEBE" MEANS "MASK THAT CHASES AWAY" RADIATING PARALLEL LINES CARVED IN THE SURFACE AND PAINTED IN VARIOUS PIGMENTS MAKE THIS A MALE MASK. FEMALE MASKS ARE PAINTED ONLY IN WHITE FOR MORE INFORMATION WRITE. I SHIP WORLDWIDE.