Lega, Congo - Mask

Congo
Second half of the 20th century
Lega Mask
Accompanied by its certificate of authenticity
Weight: 0.2 Kg
Dimensions: 25 x 14 cm
Base not included (contact us)
Wood, raffia, rope
Democratic Republic of Congo

In the Lega, the society of the Bwami 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 in the 17th century, the Lega settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also called Warega, these individuals live in autonomous villages surrounded by palisades, usually on top of hills. The role of the chief, Kindi, is held by the oldest man in the clan, who must be that of highest rank. As in other tribes of the forest, men hunt and clear forests while women grow cassava. In addition, social recognition and authority had to be won individually: the leader owed his selection to his heart (Mutima), a good character, intelligence, and irreproachable behavior. During ritual ceremonies, Idumu masks were presented to initiates placed on a fence and surrounded by masks of smaller size. This mask is used during the initiation rites of Bwami society. It is open to men and women. The passage of a rank indicated the acquisition of a certain wisdom and individual morality.