“The Boa tribe comprises 200,000 savannah-dwelling people living in the northern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). Each village is headed by a chief from the most prestigious clan. The Boa are mainly farmers and are in frequent contact with the Mangbetu and the Zande. The Boa are known principally for their masks, believed to be used in war-related ceremonies, particularly to enhance a warrior’s courage or to celebrate victories. They have set-apart ears and are covered with white and black pigments. The Boa also carve statues with apotropaic functions. The Mangbetu influence can be seen in the Boa tendency to decorate knives, ceramics, harps and seats with human heads.”

Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.