Tabwa helmet mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo, c. 1960

The Tabwa used two types of masks: a human one, representing the woman, and a buffalo-headed one, representing the man. Both would appear at the time of the fertility ritual, held for sterile women. Tabwa masks are rare and little is known about their use and functions. This anthropomorphic helmet mask has scarification patterns around the hairline, on the temples and on the cheeks. This category represents the female ancestor (Musangwe), symbolizing fertility. Height: 37 cm Reproduced: Catalogue “Africa Babel: the Art of a Continent”, p.- 158
 
Exhibitions:
2022-2024 Island of Fuerteventura “Art Africa: Ancestral Light”. Lighthouse of the Entallada. Cabildo of Fuerteventura.
2021-2022 Panama City. Government of Panama. “Art Africa: the spirit of the ancestors”. Ministry of Culture Headquarters. Casco Viejo.
2019-2020 Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Caja Canarias Foundation. “Africa-Babel: the art of a Continent”. Headquarters Plaza Patriotismo.
2013-2015 Museum of Art of Africa and Oceania (Madao). La Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia.
2005 “Black Africa”, Leather Museum.
2004 “Black Africa”. Caixa Laietana Foundation, Barcelona. Main exhibition hall