Object Details
- Label Text
- Helmet masks such as this are known as hemba and are carved by Northern Suku artists of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Occasionally danced as part of the nkanda, or initiation into manhood, they can appear at the opening of the ceremony--the day before circumcision--or at the end of the occasion, after its dance is taught to initiates. However, the mask is also known to have curative powers, extending to hernias and to women with gynecoid illness. They are also associated with procuring good luck in hunting, and can be danced to obtain the blessings of elder ancestors. Hemba masks are carved from a single, cylindrical piece of wood, frequently with a single animal or rarely with a human figure. This particular mask is surmounted by an antelope known as tsetse or bambi, and recognized as tricksters of the forest and savannah.
- Description
- Wood helmet mask surmounted by an antelope. The face has white pigmentation, slit crescent eyes, small pierced mouth and projecting ears. The sides of the head have incised linear designs in triangular patterns as part of the coiffure, which sweeps down over the central forehead and cuts to triangular points above the eyes. Holes are pierced around the lower periphery of the face, hair line and nose, for attachment of the raffia fiber costume. The horns of the antelope have incised linear designs.
- Provenance
- Eliot Elisofon, New York, -- to 1973
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Maker
- Suku artist
- Date
- Early to mid-20th century
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Eliot Elisofon
- Medium
- Wood, pigment
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 44.1 x 22.5 x 28.5 cm (17 3/8 x 8 7/8 x 11 1/4 in.)
- Type
- Mask
