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Mukyeem Mask
Also known as the mukenga mask, the mukyeem mask, consisting of a cane frame covered with leopard skin and cloth, is a variation of the mwaash amboy type mask - the most important of the trinity of Kuba royal masks. However, is not found in the surroundings of the royal court of the Kuba, but among one of the large ethinic groups such as the Ngeende, Keete or Shoowa, which belong to the Kuba confederation, dominated by the Bushong.
In these related groups, the mask, which is always borne by a notability, appears during the funeral rights of high dignitaries. The function is reflected in the white ornamentation made of uniform cowrie shells; white being recognised as the color of mourning and also reminding one of the bleached bones of the ancestors. A characteristic element of mukyeem masks is the stylised elephant trunk, flanked by two small stylised tusks, protruding from the vertex and bending in the direction of flat face. During performances the end of the trunk is decorated with red tail-featheres of the African grey parrot which were reserved for the ruling classes.
Royal Kuba Mask Trinity
As part of the royal mask trio, (Ngaady a Mwaash, Bwoom and Mwaash Amboy), Bwoom personifies an oppositional, recalcitiant character who struggles with his brother, Mwaash Amboy, for power and for the possession of his wife and sister, Ngaady a Mwaash. In his role as an insurgent who challenges the throne and its system, Bwoom is moreover associated with the non-aristocratic, common man. This rebellious aspect of the Bwoom masquerader is expressed in a proud and agitated style of dancing. Their appearance during initiation ceremonies or celebrations in honor of the king, bring back memories of the Kuba and historical events.
Ngaady A Mwaash Mask
This mask normally incorporated the following materials, wood, polychrome painting, raffic, cowrie shells, and glass beads. It represents Mweel, the sister and wife of Woot, the progenitor of the dominant Bushong group. This is a delicately-formed mask, the hood of raffia material is covered by an unusually dense ornamentation of cowrie shells. The forehead is often covered with triangular patterns, supposedly modeled on the scales of the pangolin, and the parallel lines under the eyes represent tears. As with most royal masks, the nose and mouth are hidden behind a cloth decorated with beads.
Bwoom Mask
One of the three royal masks, the Bwoom mask is also one of the oldest mask types relating to the Kuba. It is said to have been introduced during the 17th century by King Miko mi-Mbul, who, according to tradition,recieved it from the Cwa Pygmy. In addition to funerals, bwoom masqueraders appear on numerous ceremonial occasions, embodying different characters depanding on the context. At boys' initiations, Bwoom represents the nature spirit Ngeesh.
Typical of the Bwoom mask is the protruding forehead, this feature has lead to some interesteing interpretations, for it being representative of the Cwa Pygmy to others tracing it back to the King's son who was suffering from water on the brain. |
