This mask was carved in the style of the Bakongo people of DRC. The mask features two faces (Janus), each with two different colors split down the middle. The mask measures 13 inches tall, 23 inches including the stand, and weighs 3.5 pounds, 7.5 pounds including stand. There is cracking, scuffing and wear and tear throughout – please inspect photos.
Sale!
Bakongo Janus Helmet Mask 13″ w Custom Stand – DRC – African Art
$147.50
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| Type of Object | Helmet Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | DR Congo |
| Ethnicity | Bakongo (Kongo) |
| Material | Wood, Pigment |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height | 13" mask | 23" including stand |
| Width | 9” |
| Depth | 9" |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs mask | 7.5 lbs including stand |
| Overall Condition | Some cracking, scuffing and general wear and tear throughout. |
| Tribe Information |
Tribe Information
About the Bakongo People
Bakongo people are a matriarchal society who values their independence. They are the largest tribe in the Democratic Republic of Congo and have considerable populations in neighboring countries as well. The total population of the tribe was last estimated to be around 18 million world wide.
With such a vast population of people, their belief system is almost as so. For the most part, the majority of Bakongo people believe in a creator god and deities. When the Portuguese inserted themselves in the area in the 15the century, they used that belief system to convince the Bakongo that Christianity was the same thing. Missionaries would twist Bakongo language to push Christianity among the people, they would take words such as “nkisi” to mean “holy” as they were teaching their religion. Today, a mixture of traditional religion and Christianity is practiced. Both churches and shrines have been maintained.
Read more about the Bakongo here.