H x W x D: 57.8 x 36.2 x 29.7 cm (22 3/4 x 14 1/4 x 11 11/16 in.)
Type:
Mask
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Early to mid-20th century
Label Text:
Yaka masks are associated with nkanda male circumcision and puberty rituals. Initiation masters and the leaders of the initiates wear this type of mask in choreographed appearances of the male ancestors and culture heroes to promote life, growth and healing and to welcome a new generation of men. The masks contain complex and subtle references to male and female sexuality, the fertility of the earth and the cycles of the sun and the moon. At the end of the ceremonies, the masks are either destroyed or sold. Traditionally the mask's upward turning nose was removed and burned, with the ashes being kept until the next initiation ceremonies.
This Yaka mask is one of the oldest in the museum's collection, probably pre-1950. This can be seen by its superstructure being made of raffia cloth rather than of commercial cotton cloth. The raffia collar also shows its age by shedding.
Description:
Cap mask composed of a round wood face encircled in a frame, with deeply carved blue elliptical eyes and up-turned nose. There is a vertical handle under the chin. The superstructure is fabricated with woven raffia stretched over an armature and adorned with white, blue, red, black and yellow geometric patterns. The central spire is flanked by four small woven raffia crests. A skirt of raffia fringes edges the mask.
Provenance:
Julius Carlebach collection
d'Hautbarr Gallery, New York, 1969
Robert and Nancy Nooter, Washington, D.C., 1969 to 1986
Content Statement:
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