Chokwe Female Mask, DR Congo, Zambia


  • Product ID: 006016
  • Ethnic Group: chokwe
  • Special Price ($250.00):  $225.00
  • Shipping: $29.00
  • Quantity Available: 1

Chokwe Female Mask, Mwana Pwo, DR CONGO, Angola
Type of Object: Mask
Ethnic Group: Chokwe
Country of Origin: DR Congo, Angola, Zambia
Materials: Wood, fiber, glass beads, buttons
Approximate Age: Second half 20th century
Dimensions: Height is 11 inches.Width is 7 inches.Depth is 9 inches
Overall Condition: Good
Damage, Repair: None


Additional Information: This subtly carved mask is elegantly coiffed with a headdress composed of buttons and beads sewn on rough cloth. This is a finely carved mask of a female with an elegant line defining the eyebrows and a keenly observed nose and mouth nose. The cap is complete and the mask shows goods signs of use and considerable care.

This mask comes from the Chokwe people who are members of a large culture cluster living today in central Angola, parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Zambia. This cluster is composed of a number of distinct but related peoples, the most prominent of which are the Chokwe, but the cluster also includes the Lunda, Ovimbundu, Lwena, Luvala, Mbwela, and Imbangala. As a result of the complex interaction of people the region has shared stylistic elements and figural forms based upon shared mythologies and ritual practices. The present mask called Mwana pwo depicts a beautiful young woman and represents the female ances­tor. Mwana pwo mask appears at the initiation and circumcision ceremonies of young boys (Mukanda). Mwana Pwo also dances at the induction of a new chief, at funerals and fertility rituals, and during public entertainment. During the performance, Mwana Pwo is always accompanied with male character masks such as Cihongo or Cikunza. The dancer of Mwana Pwo attracts a very large audience, especially women. The grace and elegant gestures of the pwo mask teach Chokwe women to act in a graceful manner. Mwana Pwo reflects all the positive attributes of an ideal woman who can serve as a Chokwe role model.

See Jordan, and al. Chokwe!

 I have examined this piece and agree with the description
Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.