Lulua mask, DRC ex-Zaire - Lot 189

Lulua mask, DRC ex-Zaire This African mask, with its wide, concave orbits and curved, pointed chin, bears many similarities to those of neighboring Mbagani. It appeared during circumcision rituals and at the funerals of notables. Locally abraded satin-finish skin. Colored highlights. Scarifications were signs of beauty with symbolic value, revealing outstanding physical and moral qualities. The concentric circles suggest not only the great stars, but also hope. 41 x 24 cm Sold without base Lulua is a generic term referring to a large number of heterogeneous peoples who inhabit the region around the Lulua River, between the Kasai and Sankuru rivers. The Lulua people migrated from West Africa during the 18th century and settled in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). They number 300,000 and live in small regional chiefdoms, electing a common chief in times of crisis. The village chief's role is to ensure political, legal and social cohesion. In the late 19th century, Lulua culture underwent radical change. In 1875, the Lulua king, Kalambam, introduced new social and religious rules, which put an end to the traditional consumption of palm wine and a ban on hemp smoking. They produced few masks, but mainly statues of ancestors representing the ideal warrior, mulalenga wa nkashaama , as well as the chief of the Leopard society and mbulenga statuettes linked to nature spirits. Ref. "Initiés, Bassin du Congo". Ed.musée Dapper ; L'art africain", Kerchache "100 people of Zaïre and their Scupture" M.L. Félix.