#5518 African Songye Kifwebe Wooden Bird Mask 13" H

Superb Songye  Kifwebe Bird Mask DR Congo African Mask

13" H by 6" D by 6" W

A well carved  mask face with striations pigment and netting costume.
This mask belongs to the most famous of the Songye masks, made for the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe Secret society. "Kifwebe" means "Mask" in the Songye language.

The face generally is covered with linear incisions which are sometimes pigmented, the mouth is most often square and protruding. If it has a central crest, it is masculine; if not, feminine. The size of the crest determines the magical power of the mask.