Songye Mask
by Everett Spruill
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Price
$650
Dimensions
8.000 x 16.000 x 3.000 inches
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Title
Songye Mask
Artist
Everett Spruill
Medium
Sculpture - Wood Carving
Description
In the Songye language, a mask is a kifwebe: this term has been given to masks representing spirits and characterized by striations. The kifwebe masks embody supernatural forces. The kifwebe society uses them to ward off disaster or any threat. The masks, supplemented by a woven costume and a long beard of raffia, dance at various ceremonies. They are worn by men who act as police at the behest of a ruler, or to intimidate the enemy. This particular mask is a masculine mask, as it was carved with a central crest. The size of the crest determines the magic power of the mask. Mask, colors, and costumes all have symbolic meanings. The dancer who wears the male mask will display aggressive and uncontrolled behavior with the aim of encouraging social conformity, whereas the dancer who wears the female mask displays more gentle and controlled movements and is assumed to be associated with reproduction ceremonies. The use of white on the mask symbolizes positive concepts such as purity and peace, the moon and light. The mask had also the capacity to heal by means of the supernatural force it was supposed to incorporate.
Uploaded
January 30th, 2017
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