Salampasu Copper Sheeting Mask with Jagged Teeth Congo on Custom Stand

The Salampasu people, numbering 60,000, reside to the east of the Kasai River on the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. The term "Salampasu" is believed to translate to "hunters of locusts," and neighboring groups historically regarded them with fear. The Salampasu maintain robust commercial and cultural ties with their southern counterparts, the Chokwe and the Lunda, to whom they pay tribute. Governed by territorial chiefs overseeing village chiefs, the Salampasu exhibit a homogeneous society structured by a hierarchical power system, balanced by a warriors' society.

Renowned for their fearlessness in warfare, the Salampasu adhere to a rugged and primitive way of life, emphasizing activities such as warring, hunting, and some farming by women. The warriors' society plays a crucial role in the community, defending against external threats. Initiation into this society involves a circumcision camp for boys, and progression is marked by ascending through a hierarchy of masks. Ownership of a mask is earned through specific accomplishments and substantial offerings of livestock, drinks, and other goods. Knowledge associated with the masks is transmitted by existing owners to the new initiates.

Salampasu masks, crafted from wood, crocheted raffia, and wood covered with copper sheets, hold significance in the warriors' society. Masks for initiation purposes feature distinctive characteristics such as a bulging forehead, slanted eyes, a triangular nose, and a rectangular mouth with intimidating teeth. Bamboo, raffia, or rattan-like decorations often cover the heads. These masks, presented progressively to initiates, symbolize the three societal levels: hunters, warriors, and the chief. Some masks evoke such terror that women and children flee upon hearing their names, fearing immediate death.

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