Kuba
Kasai region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Central Africa
Helmet Mask (Bwoom)
INV-9954
Kuba
Kasai region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Central AfricaPossibly late 19th to mid-20th century
Helmet Mask (Bwoom)
Kuba Kasai region, Democratic Republic of the Congo Central Africa →kuba (democratic republic of congo styleCentral AfricaArts of Africaafrican Artmasksarts of Africa
Date
Possibly late 19th to mid-20th century
Medium
Wood, metal, glass beads, cowrie shells, fabric, pigment, seeds, thread, and leather
Dimensions
63.5 × 49.9 × 67.3 cm (25 × 18 1/2 × 26 1/2 in.); deck mount/post: 69.3 × 25.4 × 31.8 cm (27 1/4 × 10 × 12 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Edward E. Ayer Endowment in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson
Embellished with cowrie shells, beads, seed pods, copper sheeting, goatskin, and hair, bwoom is one of three types of royal Kuba masks, all of which are treated as embodiments of nature spirits (mingesh). According to one local interpretation, the bwoom mask represents a prince who suffered from a neurological condition that caused his head to swell with accumulated fluid. Another says that bwoom is the image of one of the original Twa (Pygmy) inhabitants of the region. During performances the masks reenact episodes in the foundation of the kingdom.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
