Chokwe Mwana Pwo Mask Congo
Width: 7.0
Depth: 5.0
Description
This mask comes from the Chokwe. It belongs to the famous category known as Mwana pwo and had performed during the ceremonies of circumcision and initiation of Young boys. The headdress attached to the mask is well preserved. The face shows typical Chokwe scarification patterns and expression.
The Mwana Pwo Chokwe mask is a traditional wooden mask made by the Chokwe people of Central and Southern Africa, particularly in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. The mask represents a young woman, with distinctive scarification marks on her forehead and cheeks, and is used in initiation ceremonies for young girls.
The Mwana Pwo Chokwe mask is considered a symbol of beauty, fertility, and wisdom. It is worn by dancers during the mukanda initiation ceremony, which marks the transition of young girls into adulthood. During the ceremony, the mask is danced by a male performer, who embodies the spirit of the young woman depicted in the mask. The dance is accompanied by music and singing, and the performance is intended to teach the initiates about their roles and responsibilities as women in Chokwe society.
The mask is typically carved from wood, and is decorated with intricate patterns and designs. The scarification marks on the forehead and cheeks are a distinctive feature of the mask, and are believed to represent beauty and social status. The Mwana Pwo Chokwe mask is also sometimes adorned with cowrie shells, beads, and other decorative elements.
Today, the Mwana Pwo Chokwe mask continues to play an important role in Chokwe culture, and is also appreciated by collectors and art enthusiasts around the world.
From the Collection of Dr. Robert Pearson, Denver, Colorado
Dr. Bob Pearson began collecting African art later in his life. He was an engineer, inveterate climber, and long-time collector of books and paintings. Spurred by the Douglas Society at the Denver Museum of Art, and his friendship with noted collector George Heggarty, he began building an enormous, eclectic collection. His African art library grew to several hundred books. He loved textiles and “material culture”-things which had domestic use, like spoons, cups, stools, and chairs, as well as masks and carvings. His collection included items from more than thirty African countries, and his fine eye gave him pieces ranging from a golddust scale to huge Dogon figural ladders. Africa Direct is honored to have been chosen to sell them.
Approximate Age: Early 20th Century
People: Chokwe
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Material
Condition
Overall Condition: Good to fair. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.