SONGYE, CONGO
WOOD, PIGMENT, HEIGHT 54CM

A very large and beautiful mask. The white decorative lines, the square mouth, the linear nose and the large eyes with thin slits are typical for Songye masks. Masks were used regularly at funeral and circumcision ceremonies. The dancer of the male mask was displaying aggressive behaviour, even upsetting the spectators, while the dancer wearing the female mask displayed more gentle flowing  feminine movements.