- Pwo (female) mask
- Chokwe peoples, Congo basin
- Late 19th century to early 20th century
- wood
Chokwe Peoples
- located in Congo basin
- women wear hairstyle covered in red earth
- hairstyle is called “tota”
- “cingelyengelye” tattoo shaped like a cross from triangles
- visited by Portuguese missionaries
- matrilineal descent
- masquerading culture
The Mukishi Mask
- “mukishi” (pl. mikishi) is a term for a Chokwe mask
- “chikunga” is most powerful mask
- used during sacred ceremonies
- entertainment masks
- used for traveling village to village
- performers are called “akishi”
- well-known entertainment masks:
- “chihongo” (spirit of wealth)
- worn by chief or his sons with noble status
- brings prosperity
- masculine counterpart to the pwo mask
- “pwo” (chihongo’s consort)
Pwo Mask
Usage
- male dancer dressed like woman in hidden identity
- uses mask to honor the founding female ancestor of lineage
- makes graceful movements of women
- envisioned as archetype of womanhood, fertility
- costume has female features for man to imitate
- recently became known as “mwana pwo” for young woman
- change reflects new desire in younger women
- meant to reflect most desirable characteristics of beauty for Chokwe women
- delicate thin walls
- reddish brown surface
- patina from long use
- half-closed eyes
- large concave sockets covered with kaolin (white clay)
- slender nose
- elliptical mouth
- hemispherical ears
- soft forehead and concave chin
- fiber braided headband and fringe on rear
- knitted eyebrows
- show arrogance or discontent
- cross-shaped motif from the Portuguese iron cross
- scarification pattern on forehead