Congo: old African Mukanda Yaka mask.

Hand carved from a single piece of wood, with color pigments and Raffia.

Height: 49 cm.

Masks with handles are characteristic of the Yaka, located between Kimbau on the Inzia River and the Nkanu and Zombo geographical area. The initiation society among the Yaka is the NKANDA and the MUKANDA among the Suku. She takes care of young people from 10 to 15 years old to provide them with education, both in the field of knowledge (in all areas including songs, dances, traditional stories, medicinal plants, etc.) and in the field of physical development.

The initiation places special emphasis on the importance of posterity and therefore on sexual practices. The education extends over one or three years, during which the young people leave the village during their retirement. The initiation ends with circumcision and is the occasion for major ceremonies. Generally, initiation masks have a prominent “trumpet” or upturned nose; sign of a certain sexual power. All these masks are burned at the end of the initiation. Noses are then cut off and their ashes collected to preserve them for future circumcision ceremonies. There is a hierarchy in Yaka initiation masks: the Ndeemba is the 'normal' mask that can be worn by young initiates and the Kholuka is the most important. The latter appears only during the ceremonies marking the end of the period of seclusion. It is always a very colorful mask.

Small scenes are depicted on the face or above the mask, always with a sexual component or related to the cycles of the sun and moon. There is great creativity in shapes.

A SUMMARY OF OUR AFRICA-GALLERY SELLING POLICIES.

Our Africa-gallery specialized in Ethiopian tribal art, collected and sell tribal used art from all over Africa and special from Ethiopia.

Our Gallery have a collection of authentic, original and traditional art from Africa. This collection including masks, statues, pottery, musical instruments, manuscripts, headrests and other antique, primitive art and various unusual items.

I hardly ever buy direct from Africa. All my items that I sell are old and (tribal) used. My objects come from European and American private collections, auction houses, fellow dealers and other collectors from around the world.

This site gives you an impression of our stock and activities. Authentic, museum quality African tribal art at wholesale prices

We strive to provide deeper public appreciation for high quality African art and to make it accessible to all collectors.

High quality masks, carvings, statues, fetishes, animal figures, ritual objects and bronzes displayed here will add beauty to any home and value to any collection.

In addition, an ever-growing demand for rapidly disappearing original African tribal art makes it a sound investment.

As long-time experienced collectors, we carefully select and authenticate every artifact. Shown here are original, high quality, hand-crafted pieces made of wood or bronze which can be yours at a fraction of gallery prices! Years of traditional use added distinction to many of them.

We guarantee the authenticity of every item and your complete satisfaction. We make every effort to research and document the history of each artifact.

In our gallery you will find a nice selection of our stock. If you find something that is not on the site, let us know. We always have a large stock of items that are not on our site.

Please let us know if you do not see items you want. We may be able to find them for you.

Stand - The stand is not included in the price, you can buy it via the "stands" button.

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