Pumbu a mfumu mask.
Ethnicity: Kasai Eastern Pende.
Country: DR Congo.
The aesthetics of this mask, exclusive to the most powerful chiefs, shows hypertrophy of the sensory organs due to the belief that the chief must being able to "sniff out sorcerers" and with their large protruding eyes, white with anger, unleash the wrath of power against anything that threatens the physical or spiritual well-being of the community. Such is the wild force unleashed by Pumbu that she dances held by ropes to avoid a massacre.
Danced only on rare occasions such as the illness of a chief, epidemics, famines, death sentences and declarations of war, she appears armed with a bow and arrows and, machete in hand, tries to free herself from her bonds as she walks through the village. In the paroxysm of her evolutions, she turns on herself and manages to cut the ropes, a moment that unleashes madness in the face of the terror of those present who implore mercy in the face of the unleashed fury. Once the expiatory sacrifice has been made and judgment has been recovered, the mask rests on the lintel of the chief''s house as a warning sign to all those who question his authority. 100 cm. length
DECORATIVE ARTS
Starting price
650 €
NOT SOLD
duran-app.lot.title_phone_bid
Phone 1:
Phone 2:
Comments:Confirm your maximum bid
At the time of auction we will contact you by phone:
Confirm your maximum bid
Loading…
Conecting with the server
Are you sure you want to buy the lot?
Durán Sala de Arte 2024
Confirm your maximum bid
Bizum