Lot: 277

Online Auction

Anthropo-zoomorphic mask of "mukanda" initiation

D. R. Congo, Pende, East

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
H: 14.6 inch sold

wood, colour pigments,
This mask could be a variant of the "thangi" mask type, which is usually characterised by broken, serrated horns.

According to Strother's field report, "thangi" is a pun on "matangi" ("thoughts"). The zigzag horns are meant to exhort the initiators to be resourceful while facing life's difficulties. What is meant is that sometimes you have to try many different ways before you find the best solution.


Strother, Z.S., Pende, Mailand 2008, p. 15 f.