MC1105 Rare initiation mask Bembe Congo Rdc mask

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CONGO DRC

BEMBE Rare initiation mask

Eluba is here to stay

Circumcision ( butende ) is a very important and indispensable event among the Bembe. It gave rise to great ceremonies

Pol Pierre Gossiaux, a specialist in this region of eastern Congo, comments (in Masks in Congo) on a similar mask that was used to frighten: "the alternation of colors in particular .........., signaled the dangerous nature of those who wore it, sacred and monstrous embryos

The Bembe are established in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, north of Lake Tanganyika. (Not to be confused with the Beembe who are sometimes also spelled Bembe and who are a people of the Kongo group)

They consider themselves descendants of the Lega, to whom they are culturally close. Thus, the Bwamè of the Bembe has many points in common with the Bwami of the Lega.
At the same time, there are other secret associations such as the Elunda and the Alunga, whose helmet mask is well known to Congolese art lovers.

Features

The circumcision ( butende ) is a very important and indispensable event for the Bembe. It gives rise to great ceremonies.

Pol Pierre Gossiaux, a specialist in this region of eastern Congo, comments on a similar mask that was used to frighten: "notably the alternation of the colors .... ......, signaled the dangerous nature of those who wore it, sacred and monstrous embryos"