Ceremonial Mask - Lele People - D.R. Congo - SOLD

Price: $0.00


 


THE LELE LIVE WEST OF THE KASAI RIVER, NORTH OF THE PENDE, & ACROSS THE RIVER FROM THE KUBA. LELE MASKS ARE RARE & LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THEIR FUNCTION. IT MAY HAVE BEEN WORN IN DANCES FOR THE FUNERARY RITES OF A CHIEF, OR SERVED AS ONE OF THE 3 MASKS USED IN ANNUAL REENACTMENTS OF THE FOUDING OF THE LELE PEOPLE. THE SPOTS ON THIS MASK SUGGEST THE MARKINGS OF A LEOPARD. WHEN A MAN KILLS A LEOPARD, HE GAINS STATUS IN HIS AGE SET. DIVINERS ARE BELIEVED TO BE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THEMSELVES INTO A LEOPARD. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE LELE WOMEN ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE MORE THAN 1 HUSBAND.

16.5"H (on included stand) x 9"W x 7"D