Accession Number
1986/2.5A

Title
Mask and costume (bwoom)

Artist(s)
Kuba

Artist Nationality
Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1960

Medium & Support
bark cloth, woven raffia, wood, copper, glass beads, kola nuts, kola, animal skin

Dimensions
23 5/8 in x 10 1/4 in x 11 13/16 in (60.01 cm x 26.04 cm x 30 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Marc Leo Felix, Brussels

Subject matter
This costume and mask depcits bwoom, a character from the trio of royal Kuba masks. Bwoom represents a number of impediments to the Kuba founding king: the king's younger brother, commoners, or a magical trickster/pygmy. Bwoom represents the autochthonous, pre-dynastic political powers that the king overcomes.

Physical Description
A full-body costume and mask depicting a human figure.

Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
mask

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
Political figures
costume (mode of fashion)
costumes
initiations
masks
masquerades
prestige
royalty