African Art at the
Ralph Proctor Gallery"In Cultural Perspective"
Initiation Mask
- country: Zaire
- people: Yaka
- medium: wood, cloth, paint, raffia
- size: 24x14x14 inches
- price: $850. SOLD
- inventory #: rpg0789
This mask belonged to an initiate of the male-only secret society. Such masks are worn by officials of the society who are responsible for initiation activities, including circumcision. During the ceremonies the 13 year old boys enter into a structure that represents the belly of a creature from the bush. The beast "eats" the young initiates and, at the end of the rites of passage regurgitates the boys as adult members of society. The boys are then awarded a mask of their own. The mask is worn back to the community in a parade that re-introduces them to their neighbors as new adult members with new adult names.