Songye Kifwebe mask

Artwork on the Songye Kifwebe mask in the workshop.

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Special artwork created by Al Georg depicting a Kifwebe mask from the 1960s.

It was used during ceremonies by the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe secret society, which played an important role in the social and political life of the Songye, particularly to maintain order and control initiations. These masks, which could be male or female, were worn by dancers during rituals such as circumcisions, funerals, and chieftaincy enthronements.

Acrylic paint on canvas mounted on a rot-proof rigid plate. Design constructed using special ancestral black steel nails. The heads of the gilded nails are covered with 24-carat pure gold leaf.

Size without frame: 49.5 x 62 cm.
Size with frame: 51.2 x 63.7 cm.
Black Nielsen aluminum frame.
Thickness: 2.7 cm.
Weight: 4.75 kg.

Under the influence of light, the nails sparkle differently like stars.

References on Songye Kifwebe masks:

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