Ngbaka Crest, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Nkanu Mask

Ngbaka crest, probably late 19th century, good overall condition, 38 cm high by 20 cm wide. Superb patina from age and use. It's a crest, meaning it sits on the skull; a fabric band would have been attached to the edge, part of which remains. It was worn with a large fiber costume, giving the wearer the appearance of a giant! The drumming monkey is similar to the one in the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, which is on the cover of the book on the museum's masterpieces; mine seems older to me. Here is the description given: "Symbolic killings of the previous life, initiation rites are very often accompanied by pain. They must deeply mark the mind and body, as with circumcision and clitoridectomy, which take place during the gaza among the Ngbaka. Accompanying the initiate in his transformation, this nkanu drummer is a symbolic representation of the percussionist who encouraged and stifled the cries of the initiate."