This shield was likely a part of ceremonial regalia created by the Songye of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The shield has been broken and repaired, illustrating that it was valued and preserved, but most other wear is the loss of pigment on the surface, suggesting that the shield was not used in battle. The central feature of the shield is a relief in the form of a … [Read more...] about Songye Ceremonial Shield with Kifwebe Mask: Researched and Conserved by Cory Powell
The kifwebe mask (plural bifwebe) is made by both the Luba and the Songye cultures of Central Africa. Interestingly, the Luba claim that this was originally a Songye mask, while the Songye claim that the Luba were the first to create the kifwebe mask. Some scholars believe that these cultures each defer to the other in order to create an allure of strangeness for the … [Read more...] about Kifwebe Mask: Researched and Reproduced by Tyler White
BEFORE CONSERVATION AFTER CONSERVATION Mukudj Mask Traditional Punu culture Mukudj masks are worn in rituals to represent the ideal female and to represent deceased ancestors. The masks usually have white or light-colored faces, full red lips, slit eyes, arched eyebrows, and three distinctive scarification marks … [Read more...] about Mukudj Tourist-Trade Mask and Kifwebe Mask: Researched and Conserved by Caitlin Baker