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Part of: (true) Heart Silent in Respect to Truer Vibrations (20 resources )
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(true) Heart Silent in Respect to Truer Vibrations

Copyright
All Rights Reserved
Created by
Kevin Moultrie Daye
Last Updated
May 25, 2022 1:10 p.m.

20 Items in this Learning Collection
mask

Collection Object
Mask

Collection Object
Spirit Mask

Collection Object
Mask (idangani)
Mask is made entirely of blackish-brown dyed and molded raffia fiber; face has bulging forehead, deeo set narrow eyes, bulbous nose, and raffia “beard.” Top of head has cone-like crest of small fiber knots.<br />
Collection Object
Mask
This bold and dramatic wooden Pende <em>mbangu</em> mask features a half-white, half-black face with a contorted visage.  The face has been carved in such a way that the features appearing on the left side, which has been pigmented black, are either positioned lower (the left ear and eye) or droop downwards (left sides of the nose and mouth). Moreover, the black portion of the face features several indentations representing scars. The resulting visual effect is one of facial asymmetry. A thick layer of white and black pigment has been applied to the face’s wooden surface, while black raffia fibers have been tightly woven onto a vegetable fiber cloth on the black half of the mask, completing the look.
Collection Object
Mask

Collection Object
Bwami Society Maskette
Concave, ovoid maskette with kaolin covering surface of surface of face. Minimal rendering of facial features: raised, tapered wood strip for nose; narrow, oviod, horizontal eyes; open, ovoid mouth with some striation around interior edge.
Collection Object
Mask

Collection Object
Mask
With fringe beard, carved teeth and scarifications.
Collection Object
N'tomo Society Initiation Mask

Collection Object
Commemorative Head
Ceramic head on a hollow cylinder with a fluted base. The figure&#39;s eyes and mouth are thin, while the nose is angular. The top of the head is covered in small protruding points.&nbsp;
Collection Object
Mask
Large, ovoid mask with a dark patina. The forehead of the face is raised, sloping down to a short, broad nose. The eyes are formed by two cresent shapes separated by a rectangle. On each cheek are three raised marks in a vertical line. The mouth is closed and may be moveable. 
Collection Object
Guli Society Mask

Collection Object
Face Mask
An oval wooden face made of dark shiny wood with a textile braid of hair all around, wrapped tight to the head. The eyes are slightly shut and the mouth is open.
Collection Object
Antelope Mask

Collection Object
Ngontang Helmet Mask with Four Faces
An enclosed wooden mask with four white faces on top of a darker wood. Two faces are larger and two are smaller, all with decorative marks on them. There are holes drilled along the bottom and through the ridges on the top.
Collection Object
Marka Mask Adorned with Brass Sheet Metal

Collection Object
Pwo mask
Oval-shaped face mask&nbsp;with slit eye-openings, a mouth with articulated teeth, and scarification on the forehead.&nbsp;
Collection Object
Mask
Wooden mask with an oblong-shaped face, semi-circular beard, and a semi-circular headdress or coiffure. The beard consists of a curving band around the chin with incised, vertical grooves. The mouth is open to reveal teeth and the cheeks are flat. One half of the nose is broken off. Round eyes sit below a prominent forehead. The ears of the mask are small and square. Atop the head sits a semi-circular headdress or coiffure consisting of small, rectangular knobs. 
Collection Object
Power figure (nkisi)
Carved wooden human figure attached to an animal's horn. A plug or mushroom shaped projection extends from the human figure's head.
Collection Object
20 Items in this Learning Collection
mask

Collection Object
Mask

Collection Object
Spirit Mask

Collection Object
Mask (idangani)
Mask is made entirely of blackish-brown dyed and molded raffia fiber; face has bulging forehead, deeo set narrow eyes, bulbous nose, and raffia “beard.” Top of head has cone-like crest of small fiber knots.<br />
Collection Object
Mask
This bold and dramatic wooden Pende <em>mbangu</em> mask features a half-white, half-black face with a contorted visage.  The face has been carved in such a way that the features appearing on the left side, which has been pigmented black, are either positioned lower (the left ear and eye) or droop downwards (left sides of the nose and mouth). Moreover, the black portion of the face features several indentations representing scars. The resulting visual effect is one of facial asymmetry. A thick layer of white and black pigment has been applied to the face’s wooden surface, while black raffia fibers have been tightly woven onto a vegetable fiber cloth on the black half of the mask, completing the look.
Collection Object
Mask

Collection Object
Bwami Society Maskette
Concave, ovoid maskette with kaolin covering surface of surface of face. Minimal rendering of facial features: raised, tapered wood strip for nose; narrow, oviod, horizontal eyes; open, ovoid mouth with some striation around interior edge.
Collection Object
Mask

Collection Object
Mask
With fringe beard, carved teeth and scarifications.
Collection Object
N'tomo Society Initiation Mask

Collection Object
Commemorative Head
Ceramic head on a hollow cylinder with a fluted base. The figure&#39;s eyes and mouth are thin, while the nose is angular. The top of the head is covered in small protruding points.&nbsp;
Collection Object
Mask
Large, ovoid mask with a dark patina. The forehead of the face is raised, sloping down to a short, broad nose. The eyes are formed by two cresent shapes separated by a rectangle. On each cheek are three raised marks in a vertical line. The mouth is closed and may be moveable. 
Collection Object
Guli Society Mask

Collection Object
Face Mask
An oval wooden face made of dark shiny wood with a textile braid of hair all around, wrapped tight to the head. The eyes are slightly shut and the mouth is open.
Collection Object
Antelope Mask

Collection Object
Ngontang Helmet Mask with Four Faces
An enclosed wooden mask with four white faces on top of a darker wood. Two faces are larger and two are smaller, all with decorative marks on them. There are holes drilled along the bottom and through the ridges on the top.
Collection Object
Marka Mask Adorned with Brass Sheet Metal

Collection Object
Pwo mask
Oval-shaped face mask&nbsp;with slit eye-openings, a mouth with articulated teeth, and scarification on the forehead.&nbsp;
Collection Object
Mask
Wooden mask with an oblong-shaped face, semi-circular beard, and a semi-circular headdress or coiffure. The beard consists of a curving band around the chin with incised, vertical grooves. The mouth is open to reveal teeth and the cheeks are flat. One half of the nose is broken off. Round eyes sit below a prominent forehead. The ears of the mask are small and square. Atop the head sits a semi-circular headdress or coiffure consisting of small, rectangular knobs. 
Collection Object
Power figure (nkisi)
Carved wooden human figure attached to an animal's horn. A plug or mushroom shaped projection extends from the human figure's head.
Collection Object

Copyright
All Rights Reserved ()

Pwo mask

Accession Number
2015/2.178

Title
Pwo mask

Artist(s)
Chokwe

Artist Nationality
Chokwe (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
wood and tukula powder

Dimensions
7 ¼ in x 5 ¼ in x 2 ¾ in (18.41 cm x 13.34 cm x 6.99 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Robert M. and Lillian Montalto Bohlen in memory of Nancy Turner Bohlen

Subject matter
Although this mask appears to be missing a coiffure, it still represents pwo or mwana pwo, an honored female ancestor that emphasizes ideal feminine beauty. These ancestral masks, called akishi, including Pwo's male counterpart Cihongo, perform during male and female initiation events. By passing on information about Chokwe principles from one generation to the next, akishi help provide the knowledge boys and girls need to become accomplished members of society. Pwo masks are danced today at important events, but in the recent past were used in boys' initiation (mukanda). Male dancers perform as Pwo, emulating the steps of a woman. The triangular scarifications on the forehead is known as cingelyengelye, based on the form of the cross brought by Portuguese monks during the 17th century. 
 
References: 
Jordan, Manuel (ed). 1998. Chokwe!: Art and Initiation Among the Chokwe and Related Peoples. Munich: Prestel Verlag.
Kreamer, Christine, Mary Nooter Roberts, Elizabeth Harney and Allyson Purpura. 2007. Inscribing Meaning: Writing and Graphic Systems in African Art. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution; Milan: 5 Continents Editions.
LaGamma, Alisa. 2011. Heroic Africans: Legendary Leaders, Iconic Sculptures. New Haven: Yale Press.

Physical Description
Oval-shaped face mask with slit eye-openings, a mouth with articulated teeth, and scarification on the forehead. 

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
mask

Additional Object Classification(s)
Costume and Costume Accessories

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
ancestors
beauty
masquerades
women (female humans)

6 Related Resources

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved