Lega (also Warega or Rega), Dem. Rep. of Congo: a large, round face mask in the ‘idimu’ style, for the highest ranks of the Bwami society.

Among the Lega, in eastern Congo, the Bwami society presides over the tribe’s social and religious life. The Bwami society has six ranks for men and three for women. Advancement from one rank to the next progresses by way of instruction, examination, and initiation. Within the Bwami society, there are two kinds of mask. The small, palm-sized ‘identity masks’, also known as ‘lukwakongo masks’. Every member of the society owns one of these masks. And the large, proper face masks which are only owned by men in the two highest ranks (‘kindi’ and ‘yananio’). There are several kinds of these larger masks: ‘idimu’, such as the present mask, ‘kayamba’ (with horns) etc. They are used in dances by high-ranking men at important gatherings of the Bwami society.
The present ‘idimu mask’ is almost round in shape, but displays all the typical features of the Lega style: it is carved from very lightweight, light-coloured wood. Typical of the Lega are the heart-shaped face, concave in form, the characteristic slit coffee bean eyes, the long, narrow nose and the small open mouth with carved rows of teeth that have grooves sketched on the outside. The white colouring of the entire face portion with kaolin clay is also typical of the Lega.
The mask also features two x-shaped crosses on the cheeks, as decorative scars. The edge of the white heart-shaped face is marked by a continuous groove. The outer edge of the mask, including the forehead and top of the head, are dyed a contrasting blackish brown. A beard made of old bast fibres, which are already brittle, is attached to the bottom of this edge, below the round chin.
The inside of the mask on the reverse is also dyed brown. Here, the piece displays an old, shiny usage patina and two small breakages to the back edge. With an old collection number in white letters.

Dimensions: 25.5 cm x 23.5 cm (diameter of the rear mask edge); depth of the mask on the back: 4 cm to 6 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: South African private collection.

Lit.: ‘L’art des Lega’, catalogue of the Musée du Quai Branly Paris, ill. 10, 175; ‘Joyaux Lega’ by Benoit Rousseau, fig. 33 and ill. 6.