Les masques à rayures peintes des Luba (Katanga / République Démocratique du Congo)

Abstract

This paper is centered on the reexamination –in the light of a comparative study of photographs and watercolours– of a small group of masks owned by the Central Luba population from the areas of Mwanza and Nionga and in use between 1925 and 1940. Their aspect is that of sculptured faces with minimalist features and painted stripes. Research shows that they were produced over a short period of time and that their origin might be, for some of them, the Chewa territory (Malawi). Concerning their destination, given the testimony of some documents, the horned specimens seem to have been tied to hunting guilds. The situation is different for the piece deprived of zoomorphic elements. This piece shows strongest ties with societies such as that of the Kilumbu or of the Bambudye.

Keywords

• Luba
• Chewa
• mask