Horned Chokwe Mask

$800

Chokwe use these kinds of masks during their ceremonies to perform sacrifices to their ancestors. Chokwe believe that their ancestors are an integral factor to their provisions, like guardian angels. They protect individuals from wanga, evil spirits. This is the reason for the horns. The arguments horns the mystical properties of the mask whether hung on a wall or performed at their initiation rites. The figure in between the horn is a shrine this is of significance because, the Chokwe associate not just the head to the temple but center of the forehead. I believe scholars and researchers have not tied the similarities culture with in Africa and outside to show most of their sacred belief system was in fact sophisticated and not primitive. Like the Dan and Yoruba tribe that seem to believe in a scientific order of the natural universe like reincarnation and all pervasive chi energy.
Initiation rites are performed within these secret societies that enable tribes to maintain their cultural identity. Masquerades are held for in many different reasons wedding, funerals, and promotion in the social order can be just one of the reasons for ceremonies. Some masks are meant to protect against evil like those that have horns. These masks might be worn by a witch doctor or for the performance of a village chief.1
These are our sites finest masks because of the craftsmanship. The finish on the wood is exceptional, and the raffia is braided to signify prowess. The silted eyes represent an ancestor linked to the mask therefore giving power to any one that is in possession of the mask. What is unique about to horned mask is that there sis a shrine in the middle of the mask which symbolizes either the relative or the ancestor protected on the foremost sacred part of the body. The features are just unreal with these masks these are truly museum quality pieces, like the scarification is a direct parallel of the mask status.2
Journal
1. Zdenka Volavkova, “Nkisi Figures of the Lower Congo”, African Arts, Vol.5, No. 1 p. 52
2. Leon Siroto, “A mask style from the French Congo”, Man Vol.54 (1954), p.149