Additional Information: A huge mask, from the Ngeende, a Kuba subgroup.

The Ngeende group claims to be descended from Ishweemy, one of the nine sons of Woot, the primordial founder of the Kuba Kingdom. Accordingly, the Ngeende are of special importance to the Kuba Kingdom and designated as the holders of the Kuba official charms, Muyum. They share not only a common history but also the same culture and traditions as the Kuba. Even today, they still send representatives to the Kuba-Bushoong court. The Ngeende live in small villages led by chiefs who rule with the council of elders. Understandably, their art has many congruities with the art of the Kuba-Bushoong, the Ngoongo, the Kete, and all of them produce masks. It is said that some Kuba masks have been made by the Ngeende. The Ngeende masks tell the story of Woot and other important characters in the foundation of Kuba kingdom. These include Bongo (Mbwoom), Mukenge which is a variant of Moshambooy, Shala-Mushampoji, and another variant of Moshambooy without the elephant trunk, Ishendemala with goggle eyes, and Nyibita with a very elongated face. These masks were used at the funerals of notabilities andat initiation ceremonies.

The present mask belongs to the category of Bongo, a variant of a royal mask from the Kuba Bushoong, called Bwoom (or Mboom).The surface shows trace. Its unusual form and uniqueness make this mask a special piece to add in a collection.

-Mack, John, EMILE TORDAY AND ART OF THE CONGO 1900-1909, University of Washington Press, Seattle

-Cornet, Joseph, 1982, ART ROYAL KUBA, Edizioni Sipiel, Milano

-Cornet, Joseph, 1978, A Survey of Zairian Art-The Bronson Collection, North Carolina Museum of Art.

Description written by Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.

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