Songye Mask- Lunar
AU $195.00 AU $146.25
Songye masks are believed to embody ancestral spirits and possess significant cultural and religious symbolism
Some masks are adorned with patterns representing wisdom, strength, or specific ancestral lineage
The wearer of a Songye mask undergoes a transformative experience, channeling the spirit within the mask.
Country of Origin…………….. Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Culture………………………… Songye
Function……………………….. Healing & Purification
Dimensions……………………. 41 x 24 x 12cm
1 in stock
Description
The Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) are closely related to the Luba people of the same region. Both use a variety of face masks for social control and village purification. The Songye were formerly a warlike people and used their masks to frighten enemies, as well as to frighten away evil spirits from the village or from a sick individual plagued by them. The masks are danced by secret societies to protect the village and are usually worn with a full body costume of raffia. Songye masks are typically characterized by striations carved into the face, representing the facial scarification used by Songye warriors.
Additional information
Weight | 5 kg |
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Dimensions | 65 × 25 × 30 cm |
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