Congo - Balega Mask, Balega, Northern Congo, Equatorial Africa
Height: 10 1/4 inches
Mask in boldly abstract spiritualized style, influenced by the patriarchal culture of the Balega
towards the cubist style.Humanlike mask in large, simplified and solid form with a delicate mouth
and eyes in the form of cowrie shells. The most important style of the northern Congo, that of the
Balega people, is found between the great lakes and that of the River Lualaba. Their social life is
determined by the Bwame society, to which everyone belongs. There are five ranks for a man and
three for women. A high rank signifies power and prestige and is a stimulus to increased endeavour.
Among the Balega masks are used for the two senior grades of the Bwame association, Kindi and
Yananio, to symbolize the attainment of higher levels of ethical teaching. Masks of wood are used
by the Kindi as part of an esemble of objects to illustrate concepts of Bwame ethics. At the
festival masks are freshly painted with white koalin.
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