Kuba Dance or Funerary Mask

Mask, Ritual, Kuba

Mask, Dance

Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

Aboriginal Indigenous Art.

The extensive use of red paint and patterns on the cheeks indicates that this is a funerary mask. The Kuba peoples preceived red and orange as strong colors and associated them with the power of death, the great disrupter of life. This type of mask would be worn in dances at funerals of senior titleholders.

Carved wooden elongated dance or funerary mask with, orange, white and dark brown striped vertical designs on each upper cheek. Large protruding forehead with circular design in center and four strings of beads and a cowrie shell hanging down. Slit eyes outlined in white paint in black orbits, long large wedge—shaped nose, covered in a strip of silver colored metal. Circular mouth with circuler metal object nailed to center. Crescent—shaped ears. Lower portion of mask covered in triangular geometric design. Entire outer ring of mask encircled by beads, cowrie shells, raffia and woven grass or cloth. Woven grass, beads and shells in back of mask, forming a closed head strap. Dark brown patina covering all unpainted wooden surfaces.

Guy Mace Collection, (Turblex Company)

Wood W/Paint, Metal, Beads, Shells, Cloth and Raffia

Ritually Used

Carving / Painting

Art Department, Missouri Southern State University

2015.2.53