African Mask

This is a Songye mask. The Songye people live in Democratic Republic of Congo. They are a relatively small tribe with a central chief and many secret societies. This mask or kifewebe, as masks are called in the Songye language, is of a male figure. This is determined by the center crest on its head. It represents a spirit and bears striations which is one of the chief differentiators of Songye masks. A mask like this would have been used by the kifewebe society to ward off evil, avert disaster and heal the sick. When worn in dances, it serves the dancer for its connotation of aggression to help the chief maintain order and control. This mask is believed to embody supernatural forces and the magic it carries is decided by the size of its crest. The white color of the striations symbolizes peace and purity while the red could mean any of danger, fire, blood, evil, courage or fortitude. Songye masks are easily identified by their striations and their shapes. The eyes, noses and mouths are carved in high relief. Often, the lips form star-shaped puckers to give the masks the impression of whistling or pouting.