Kuba Ngaady a Mwaash Mask Wood Metal Congo African Art

Description

Type of Object
Ngaady a Mwaash Mask
Country of Origin
Democratic Republic of  Congo
People
Kuba or Leele, Lele
Materials
Wood, raffia grass, beads, cowrie shells, metal
Approximate Age
20th Century
Height (in)
21
Width (in)
12
Depth (in)
10
Overall Condition
Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Additional information:
The surfaces of the masks are decorated with geometric designs made with different colors, patterns, and textures.
Most commonly fur, animal hide, metal, and feathers were used as the base material before being covered with beads and other decorative elements.
There are many types of masks that are commonly worn in the Kuba culture; in the capital of
Nsheng
, masks cannot be worn without the permission of the King.
Three important masquerades in
Nsheng
include
mwashamboy, bwoom
, and
ngady a mwash
.
During the
mwashamboy
, the actor wears a mask made of leopard skin with wooden eyes, nose, ears, and mouth attached.
Shells and cowries are added for detail along with an animal hair beard; a large headdress is also included to signify the one worn by the king and give more importance to the mask and its wearer.
Everyone refers to this “as the king’s mask” even though he never wears it, only a man of his choice is allowed to wear it.
Because there are not any eye holes in this mask, the dance is very slow and well choreographed
**138056**
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