African mask Lega mask African Tribal Face Mask Wood Hand Carved Masks for wall-6057

75.5/21.7 CM
Thick partially chipped kaolin masks patina. Desication cracks. Within the Léga, the Bwami society, open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. Following their exodus from Uganda during the 17th century, the Lega settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in the DRC. The role of chief, kindi, is held by the oldest man in the clan, who must be the highest ranking. Social recognition and authority also had to be earned individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), good character, intelligence, and irreproachable behavior. During ritual ceremonies, Idumu masks were presented to initiates placed on a barrier and surrounded by masks of smaller format. The passage of a rank indicated the acquisition of a certain individual wisdom and morality