2800
The 60,000 Salampasu have a reputation
of being fearless warriors due to the fact
that they have retained the customs of a
rough & primitive life. Warring and hunt-
ing are privileged occupations. Masks such as these
are made for initiation purposes.
Presented in a progressive order to
future initiates, they symbolize the three
level of the society: hunters, warriors
and the chief. The masks come in three
types: fiber, wooden and copper covered
respectively. The entity of the mask/
costume has the generic name AKISH,
or MUKISH. The mask has a large
forehead, ferocious teeth, and its
coiffure is woven into balls made from
rattan.
Provenance: Ex Private Collection. Collected about 50 years ago by a Belgian living in the D.R. Congo.
Measures 13" high by 11" wide.
#PC36
