Kuba people | face mask | African Art & South Pacific

Africa, the South Pacific, and the Americas

face mask

Culture or people Kuba people
Creation date 1920-1950
Materials wood, pigment, cloth, fiber, cowrie shells
Dimensions H: 10 3/4 in.
Credit line Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg
Accession number 1989.1158

Gallery Label

The term Kuba refers to a group of closely related peoples with rich art traditions. They have over twenty different mask types. Kuba masks are often decorated with geometric patterns, cowrie shells and beads. They are considered to embody a spirit and are used during initiations, funerals and to entertain. Their use represents the founding of royal lineage and other historical events.

Descriptive tags added by visitors:

Bacouba, Bakouba, Bakuba, brown, Bushong, Bushongo, cowrie shell, ethnic, functional, god, guardian, important, Kuba, natural, oceanic, ritual, ritualistic, shelled mask, skill, wooden
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