Among the Lega, in eastern Congo, the Bwami society presides over the tribe’s social and religious life. In connection with this ‘Bwami’ society, the Lega know two different mask types: the small, palm-sized identity masks (‘Lukwakongo’) for every member of the ‘Bwami’ society, and the large face masks for the men in the highest ranks.
The present Lega mask belongs to the category of the larger face masks. The two horns above denote it as a mask of the ‘Kayamba’ (antelope) type. It is made of heavy, harder wood than the typical Lega masks and completely dyed black. In its stylistic essentials, it conforms to the formal canon of all Lega masks: heart-shaped face, slightly concave, with long, flat nose and coffee bean eyes. On its elongated chin is a hole, for attaching a raffia beard.
A special characteristic of this visibly old and used piece is nevertheless the ‘crooked’, open mouth. It was without doubt consciously carved and emphasised in this manner. Might this therefore be one of the so-called ‘illness masks’, which often occur in the art of Africa (e.g. amongst the Pende)? Beyond the original ‘riddle of the crooked mouth’, this object displays, in addition to minimal breakages to the rear rim, a good, old, and in part shiny usage patina at the back and the front. At the left, lower rim of the mask there is an old collection number in white letters.
Height: c. 32 cm; width: 13.2 cm.
First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
South African private collection.

Lit.:
‘L’art des Lega’, catalogue Musée du Quai Branly Paris, ill. 184, 185, 186; ‘Joyaux Lega’ by Benoit Rousseau, cover photo and ill. 9 (masks of the ‘Kayamba’ type).