African Yaka Tribe Mukhanda Carved Ceremonial Helmet Initiation Lega Mask Congo

Description

Vintage African Yaka Tribe Mukhanda Carved Ceremonial Helmet Initiation Lega Mask Congo.
Lega Mask, Congo
This is a large, antique, African Yaka tribe, handmade Mukhanda ceremonial mask.
One of the most important yearly ceremonies for the Yaka people of Africa is the Mukhanda ceremony, which celebrates the finalizing of the tribes young boy's educational period and their initiation into adulthood. Mukhanda includes circumcision which is a crucial part of Yaka life. The initiates wear masks made specifically for their ceremony, which are used only once, and they are referred to as Kholuka, and their designs can vary greatly. The young boy's teacher or tutor wears a zoomorphic mask called Mpakasa during the ceremonial dance. This antique African Yaka mask is amazingly constructed of a carved wooden face plate decorated with raffia for hair.
Measurements: 11"× 6.5"
Overall great mask.