Giwoyo Mask
Tribe: Central Pende
Country: Democratic Republic of Africa
Material: Wood
Size: 32" Tall
In performance, this headdress is viewed horizontally, resting on top of the head. Some Pende specialists believe that this headdress represents a cadaver laid out for viewing at a wake.The elegant abstraction of the body explains the tapering form of the projection, which reflects how the arms are placed alongside the body, the projection narrows and curves up as the feet would, the whole covered up by a sheet. The head joins the body at an obtuse angle, mimicking the propping up of the head of the corpse. The eyes gape half-open in death.
Reference:
Visions of Africa - J.S. Strother ISBN: 978-88-7439-384-8 |
