This is the rating and price for Lega Mask Bwami Society Congo African Collection, Mid 20th century

Description : Provenance: From the private collection of Kissimah Drammeh. For more than ten years, I have bought from Kissimah Drammeh, a Gambian trader who always has things to tempt me. This month (October 2013), he offered me a portion of his personal collection. I bought every piece. , Elizabeth Bennett. ,Additional Information:A well used  ,Lega mask with dotted marks on the forehead, , and traces of  ,pigment on the face. , Lega masks are usually carved in a distinctive style, with a heart-shaped concave face, slightly protruding forehead, a narrow and long nose, slit eyes, and an open mouth. Lega masks usually have their face rubbed with white clay (pembe). The Lega people live near the northern end of Lake Tanganyika on the banks of the Lualaba River and are also known as the Warega. Living in small village groups they have no centralized authority but govern themselves through a communal association known as Bwami. This association is composed of male and female members who strive to achieve advancement in the various ranks of Bwami. For the Lega the ultimate goal is to reach the uppermost level of Bwami when one would become a Kindi, one who exercises moral influence within society. The complex system of instruction, initiation and advancement in Bwami uses masks and figures to document the various levels of Bwami and to serve as badges validating the initiate’s knowledge of the secrets of Bwami and of their rank. Initiates earn the privilege to wear and display masks which might be worn on their arms or faces or simply exposed on racks or on the ground. For similar examples, and more information, see ART OF AFRICA by Kerchache et al. Biebuyck, D. Lega Culture: Art, Initiation, and Moral Philosophy among a Central African People. 1973, ART OF THE LEGA, by Cameron, E., 2001  ,I have examined this piece and agree with the description Niangi Batulukisi, PhD
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