Mukyeem / Mwaash a Mboy Mask
Tribe: Kuba
Country: Democratic Republic of Congo
Material: Wood, Raffia, Cowrie Shells, Beads, Cloth.
Size: 23" Tall x 24" Deep x 20" Wide
The Mukyeem or Mukenge mask is a version of the Mwaash aMboy mask made by the Ngeende people who were integrated into the eastern part of the Kuba kingdom during the sixteenth century. It has a stylized elephant’s trunk on top surmounted with brightly colored raffia fiber, as does the more traditional Mwaash aMboy mask.
The Mukyeem may only be worn by a male member of the royal family. This highly decorated mask is danced at the funeral of a male relative or worn at the initiation rites to symbolizes the culture hero, Woot, who originated not only the royal dynasty but the political structure and most of the arts and crafts. The superstructure of the mask represent the trunk of an elephant which is a royal emblem and symbolizes the power of the elephant and, by extension, that of the king. This helmet mask is made of a wicker-type frame, covered with raffia cloth and adorned with beads and cowry shells. The eyes represent those of the chameleon and raffia fibers are added to the end of the trunk. |
