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SILVER Seller in Milano, Italia
The African Kuba Bwoom tribal mask is the oldest known mask. The materials used to make the mask are wood, vegetable colours and vibrations, rubber, beads and animal hair. In dance it expresses exuberance and joy. The style is similar to that of the average Kasai. This mask is a helmet with animal hair, carved with a very broad forehead and hollow cheeks that are announced by patterns and beads. The mouth of the mask is very pronounced, carved into the wood and then applied to the mask. Black and white beads are used to distinguish the forehead in different areas, drawing attention to other aspects of the face such as the nose and chin. The entire edge of the chin is surrounded by beads of various colours. The person wearing the mask cannot look because there are no eyeholes; the mask should create the feeling of being blind. Some masks similar to the bwoom mask are the funny mask, the ram mask and initiation masks such as the Nnup. The true Kuba masks are the most important and sacred, depicting images of nature spirits 'mingesh' who act as intermediaries between the Supreme Being 'Nyeem' and mortals. Kings and priests become mingesh after death. The bwoom occupies second place in the hierarchy. This mask is carefully preserved as a symbol of family continuity, unlike the moshambwooy, who is buried with the king upon his death. The name Kuba, meaning 'people of lightning and light', was given by the neighbouring Luba tribe. The king, Nyim, is chosen from the Bushoong subtribe, 'knife throwers'. The myths and legends of the Kuba tradition recount the creation and organisation of the world and legendary heroic deeds. The mask comes from the Sankuru and Kasai river region in Congo.
ID: 36842-1668099581-50237
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