Lot: 100

98th Auction

Initiation mask "ndeemba" of the "n-khanda" society

D. R. Congo, Yaka

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
R. Rummel, Germany
Heinz Seeliger (1920-1997), Würzburg, Germany
Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 27 November 2010, Lot 342
Werner Zintl, Worms, Germany
H: 20.1 inch This object is not available anymore.

Wood, fabric, paint, pigments, grass fibre, base

Masks "ndeemba" are worn by the newly circumcised "tundasi" at dances that indicate the end of the seclusion period and celebrate the return of the young men to daily village life.

The dance of the masks is accompanied by chants, which are mainly aimed at affirming the male superiority and the new social status of the young men.