Pende Bwala-Bwala mask, DRC The Pende Mbangu (deformed... Lot 37

Pende Bwala-Bwala mask, DRC The Pende Mbangu (deformed mouth) or Bwala-Bwala "sickness" masks opposite illustrate, with their outraged features, the patient in an epileptic seizure or the result of facial paralysis caused by witchcraft rituals. The dancer wearing this comedy mask wears a hat made of gifuatu guinea fowl, coucal or touraco feathers, or a lumbandu, a crown of leaves. It is also often fitted with a hump on the back, exaggerating the character's handicapped appearance. This mask from the Pende people of Upper Kwango is distinguished by its angled nose and tubular mouth, and the contrasting colored pastilles applied to a dark, matte background accentuate the visual effect. The three-parted hairstyle is reminiscent of certain Kuba masks. . Abrasions. Internal contours damaged. 29 x 17 cm Sold without base The Western Pende live on the banks of the Kwilu, while the Eastern Pende have settled on the banks of the Kasai downstream from Tshikapa. The influences of the neighboring Mbla, Suku, Wongo, Leele, Kuba and Salempasu ethnic groups have left their mark on their extensive tribal art sculpture. Within this diversity, the realistic Mbuya masks, produced every ten years, have a festive function, and embody various characters difficult to differentiate without their costume, including the chief fumu or ufumu, the diviner and his wife, the prostitute, the jester, tundu, the possessed, etc.... ( Art and Life in Africa, C.D. Roy ; "Pende" Strother)