1
The Songye Tribe & the Kifwebe Mask
By
Whitney Chester
Morgan State University
Kifwebe Mask 2 The people of the Songye tribe can be traced back to the 16th century. Their history is closely related to the Luba with who they are related to by common ancestry. People of the Songye tribe are well known for their unique masks that they wore which were referred to by the term kifwebe. This mask was unique because it stood out and was a prominent part of the Songye culture. The kifwebe mask was significant in the art and culture of the Songye people. In the Songye language a kifwebe is referred to as a mask. The term was used when referring to masks that represented spirits primarily supernatural …show more content…
They were all made out of wood and came in many shapes and sizes. The masks were made for males, females and children. When the Songye people wore their masks they didn’t just wear the mask they wore “a complete costume consisting of a hood attached to the mask, a shirt and pants made from woven bark. The soles of his shoes will be elephant skin and a striped fur belt completes the costume. The top of the mask will have attached to the hood a plummet and a fibre beard will circle the masks face. The mask-wearer will carry in his hands items allowing to further identify …show more content…
According to Felix, “groups of mask wearers [go] from compound to compound to collect donations for their associations”. They also wear their masks to honor fallen members of the association. It is basically like a remembrance ceremony when one dies. Other reasons that they wear there masks is during the initiation process as mentioned above, to celebrate different seasonal things such as the first rain of the season or the first harvest of crops. They are also worn during hunting and warfare to bless the warriors and many other different events. These masks are also worn during circumcision ceremonies. Lastly they are worn to exercise social and political control throughout the community with practices of evil magic and witchcraft by members of the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe society. In conclusion the kifwebe mask is a very unique and important part of the Songye tribe and the Kifwebe association. These masks hold great power within the Songye and Luba tribes and are a prominent part overall of their culture. The Bwadi Ba Kifwebe society is extremely respected within the Songye tribe and culture.
Kifwebe Mask
The Songye Tribe & the Kifwebe Mask
By
Whitney Chester
Morgan State University
Kifwebe Mask 2 The people of the Songye tribe can be traced back to the 16th century. Their history is closely related to the Luba with who they are related to by common ancestry. People of the Songye tribe are well known for their unique masks that they wore which were referred to by the term kifwebe. This mask was unique because it stood out and was a prominent part of the Songye culture. The kifwebe mask was significant in the art and culture of the Songye people. In the Songye language a kifwebe is referred to as a mask. The term was used when referring to masks that represented spirits primarily supernatural …show more content…
They were all made out of wood and came in many shapes and sizes. The masks were made for males, females and children. When the Songye people wore their masks they didn’t just wear the mask they wore “a complete costume consisting of a hood attached to the mask, a shirt and pants made from woven bark. The soles of his shoes will be elephant skin and a striped fur belt completes the costume. The top of the mask will have attached to the hood a plummet and a fibre beard will circle the masks face. The mask-wearer will carry in his hands items allowing to further identify …show more content…
According to Felix, “groups of mask wearers [go] from compound to compound to collect donations for their associations”. They also wear their masks to honor fallen members of the association. It is basically like a remembrance ceremony when one dies. Other reasons that they wear there masks is during the initiation process as mentioned above, to celebrate different seasonal things such as the first rain of the season or the first harvest of crops. They are also worn during hunting and warfare to bless the warriors and many other different events. These masks are also worn during circumcision ceremonies. Lastly they are worn to exercise social and political control throughout the community with practices of evil magic and witchcraft by members of the Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe society. In conclusion the kifwebe mask is a very unique and important part of the Songye tribe and the Kifwebe association. These masks hold great power within the Songye and Luba tribes and are a prominent part overall of their culture. The Bwadi Ba Kifwebe society is extremely respected within the Songye tribe and culture.
Kifwebe Mask