Mfondo face mask. Lwalu. West Kasai, Zaïre.
Wood, pigments.
© Africa-Museum, Tervuren
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The Kasai people live, with the
Luluwa, at the geographical juncture of the Tshokwe cultural area and the
Luba world. It is notably from the former that they have borrowed the
circumcision ritual of mukanda, integrating it into their own vast and
comprehensive hierarchy that bears the same name and governs their entire
political and ritual world. Social harmony, fertility, fecundity and a
bountiful hunt are among the mukanda's central concerns. Initiates of the
upper level are the guardians and wearers of the masks; as ritual objects
the masks are central to the institution. In times of crisis or misfortune,
the initiates invoke the power of the masks. Five of the exhibited masks
are very likely mukanda-related ritual objects. The Lwalu mfondo mask, in
contrast, is not linked with the initiation ritual and would be worn during
secular dances.
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