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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
These masks represent the royal ancestors of the Bushoong, the ruling group within the Kuba kingdom founded in the 17th century. According to one version of the founding myth, Woot was the first man and the first king of the Kuba. Weel was his sister and wife, and Bwoon was his brother and rival. In the masquerade—part of public ceremonies, initiations, and royal funerals—dancers disguised as Mukenga (Woot), Ngaady aMwaash (Weel), and Bwoom reenact the mythical origins of the Bushoong dynasty and its right to rule the Kuba peoples.
A prominent forehead and broad nose are the most pronounced features on the Bwoom mask, and high social status is indicated by the imported glass bead and cowrie shell embellishments. Bwoom is also a symbol for Cwa Pygmies.
Adapted from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
NOTES
This object is on-view. Though a loan, I've completed the note in anticipation of further decisions being made of the display of such objects on the online collection.
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General Description
These masks represent the royal ancestors of the Bushoong, the ruling group within the Kuba kingdom founded in the 17th century. According to one version of the founding myth, Woot was the first man and the first king of the Kuba. Weel was his sister and wife, and Bwoon was his brother and rival. In the masquerade—part of public ceremonies, initiations, and royal funerals—dancers disguised as Mukenga (Woot), Ngaady aMwaash (Weel), and Bwoom reenact the mythical origins of the Bushoong dynasty and its right to rule the Kuba peoples.
A prominent forehead and broad nose are the most pronounced features on the Bwoom mask, and high social status is indicated by the imported glass bead and cowrie shell embellishments. Bwoom is also a symbol for Cwa Pygmies.
Adapted from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
This object is on-view. Though a loan, I've completed the note in anticipation of further decisions being made of the display of such objects on the online collection.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
2.1996.3
source file
object_notes_1_a-0453.xml.nores