Title:
Chokwe, Female Dance Mask
Object Name:
Mask, Ritual, Pwo
Other Name:
Mask, Dance, Female
Place of Origin:
Chokwe Style, Angola, Africa
Provenance:
Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 16"
W = 9"
D = 11"
While in former times they probably played important roles in religious beliefs and institutional practices, many other Chokwe masks have come to be used primarily for entertainment. Itinerant actors wearing these masks travel from village to village, living on gifts received at performances. Most masks are carved of wood. The most popular and best—known entertainment masks are chihongo, spirit of wealth, and pwo, his consort. Gaunt features, sunken cheeks, and jutting beard of an elder characterize a chihongo mask. Chihongo was formerly worn only by a chief or by one of his sons as they traveled through their realm exacting tribute in exchange for the protection that the spirit masks gave. While chihongo brings prosperity, his female counterpart, pwo, is an archetype of womanhood, an ancestral female personage who encourages fertility. As an ancestor, she is envisioned as an elderly woman. The eyes closed to narrow slits evoke those of a deceased person. The facial decoration on the surface are considered female. Recently pwo has become known as mwana pwo, a young woman. It represents young women who undergone initiation and are ready for marriage.
H = 16"
W = 9"
D = 11"
While in former times they probably played important roles in religious beliefs and institutional practices, many other Chokwe masks have come to be used primarily for entertainment. Itinerant actors wearing these masks travel from village to village, living on gifts received at performances. Most masks are carved of wood. The most popular and best—known entertainment masks are chihongo, spirit of wealth, and pwo, his consort. Gaunt features, sunken cheeks, and jutting beard of an elder characterize a chihongo mask. Chihongo was formerly worn only by a chief or by one of his sons as they traveled through their realm exacting tribute in exchange for the protection that the spirit masks gave. While chihongo brings prosperity, his female counterpart, pwo, is an archetype of womanhood, an ancestral female personage who encourages fertility. As an ancestor, she is envisioned as an elderly woman. The eyes closed to narrow slits evoke those of a deceased person. The facial decoration on the surface are considered female. Recently pwo has become known as mwana pwo, a young woman. It represents young women who undergone initiation and are ready for marriage.
Description:
Oval—shaped face with coffeebean slit eyes in concave orbits. Wedge—shaped nose with circular nostrils, scarification on cheeks and forehead. Crescent—shaped slightly open mouth with zigzag teeth. Cloth or possibly animal hair attached to top of mask, with cowrie shells and beads attached to top of front head area. Raffia netting along neck for holding on head. Dark brown patina over entire facial area.
Collection:
Guy Mace Collection, (Turblex Company)
Material:
Wood W/Paint, Shells, Beads and Raffia or Hair
Used:
Ritually Used
Technique:
Carving / Weaving
Owned:
Art Department, Missouri Southern State University
Accession#:
2015.2.14
Click to Enlarge
Front View
Front View, Close-Up
Right Side View
Right Side View - 2
Left Side View
Left Side View - 2
Rear View
Rear View - 2
Front View
Front View, Close-Up
Right Side View
Right Side View - 2
Left Side View
Left Side View - 2
Rear View
Rear View - 2