Object Record
Images
Metadata
Artist |
Chokwe |
Culture/Nationality |
Chokwe, Angola/DRC |
Title |
Mwana Pwo Mask |
Date |
20th century |
Catalog Number |
1919 |
Description |
This exceptional mask is a mwana pwo, which represents the idealized woman in Chokwe and Lwena society. A major part of the Mukunda initiation ceremony, this mask is usually created an worn by men, thus representing the male ideal of female beauty. However, the women of the culture are not required to accept this image, and have been known to reject the dancer and mask if they do not feel properly honored. |