African Collection Luba Or Songye Artist Face Mask (Kifwebe) Luba or Songye artist The Bifwebe (singular: Kifwebe) masks of Songye and northern Luba peoples of southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo demonstrate captivating abstractions and intricate designs that bring forth spirits and represent cosmological symbols. The mask’s chin is reminiscent of a crocodile's snout while its projecting mouth suggests a bird’s bill. During performances, the mask is paired with an accompanying costume of woven fibers, animal skins, and plants that adds to its aesthetic impact when in motion. The striations on the wooden surface also create a repeating linear pattern that contributes to the mask’s dizzying effect. Bifwebe performed during local political negotiations to uphold law and order, resolve disputes, and form allegiances through their authority and spiritual agency as supernatural creatures. With their complex iconography, Bifwebe functioned in part to frighten individuals who might oppose those in power. Today, the masks are used in performances for widespread audiences in settings with plenty of light, ensuring their visibility. |
  
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