#6808 Vintage Large African Tribal Kuba Royal Head Mask/Helmet Congo 11" H

Impressive vintage Kuba ceremonial headdress/helmet  from Congo, hand made  with  wood, beaded cloth, and raffia. This royal mask features culturally significant beaded geometric motifs and ritual cowrie shell embellishments. Within the extensive Kuba masking tradition—comprising over twenty distinct varieties—this particular form functioned during initiation ceremonies, personifying Woot, the mythological first ancestor who named creation's elements and established civilization, earning the Kuba their cultural identifier as "Children of Woot." The substantial mask (11" height × 15" width × 27" depth) lacks visual openings, necessitating guided assistance during ritual performances. the helmet exhibits appropriate patina and wear /beads loss cdue to age overall good condition.