Kifwebe masks are ceremonial objects used by the Songye and Luba societies, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The masks were named after a secret society ‘bwadi ka bifwebe’ (‘bifwebe’ in the Bantu language is the plural of ‘kifwebe’) where they were used for ceremonial purposes. The members of this association were believed to be endowed with sorcerer-like powers.
The mask shown here contains an unusual iconography because it is decorated with coloured beads and crowned with a figure of Nkisi, interpreted in a rare form, with the skull of a monkey holding feathers.
Nkisi is another crucial element of Congo cultures, a fetish corresponding to both the spirit and the object depicting it. The purposes for which Nkisi are created may be different, but the essence remains the same – to contain within themselves magical and divinatory power. The common feature of any Nkisi is its posture with its hands resting on its belly.