Face Mask (Idimu)
Lega · Late 19th to early 20th century · Art Institute of Chicago
Guide
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From the museum
Among the Lega, masks of different materials, sizes, and shapes were used in initiations of the Bwami association. Bwami was responsible for instructing its members in a shared moral philosophy. The teachings were conveyed through proverbs, with both handmade and natural objects serving as memory aids. Instead of being worn in front of the face, masks were held in the hands, hung on fences, or even pulled over the ground with their long raffia beards.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC BY 4.0
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Details
- Maker
- Lega, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Date
- Late 19th to early 20th century
- Medium
- Wood, pigment, and fiber
- Dimensions
- 64.8 × 30.5 × 7.7 cm (25 1/2 × 12 × 3 in.)
- Place of origin
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Held by
- Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · On view · Gallery 227
- Credit line
- The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Grace Hokin
