1974.Sc.45 Mask (Lukwakongo)

This small mask is the insignia of yananio, the last grade before reaching the pinnacle in the Lega's governing Bwami association. Representing the ideal Lega man, it is not a conventional face mask but may be worn on other parts of the body, simply held in one's hands, or displayed on the ground, a mat, or a fence. Lukwakongo literally means "death gathers in," a reference to the portrayal and importance of the ancestors. Before the presentation to the initiate who will be its new owner, the mask is placed on an ancestral grave to express continuity of Bwami leadership from the past to the present. 

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.

Lega: AAT: 300016404

democratic Republic of the Congo (nation): TGN: 1000159 

wood (plant material): AAT: 300011914

kaolin: AAT: 300010445

nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513

twentieth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404514

Masks (costume): AAT: 300138758

 n.d.: Gustave and Franyo Schindler Collection 

1974: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of the Eugene and Margaret McDermott Foundation in memory of Eugene McDermott [1]

The main source for this provenance is the Object Summary dated May 24, 2006, copy in Dallas Museum of Arts Collections Records object file. Exceptions and supporting documentation are noted. 

[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983. 

Apply to objects where number equals 1974.Sc.45