This is the rating and price for Rare Mask Type Muminia (In Shape Of A Monkey), 19Th Century - D. R. Congo, Lega, 1964

Description : wood, encrusted patina, pigments, base Lega masks fall into the category of bwami initiation objects. The Lega divide them into five types: lukwakongo, kayamba, idimu, muminia and lukungu. They serve as an important mark of rank, identifying the owners as members of specific bwami levels. Comprising five levels for men and three for women, Bwami is a voluntary association open to all Lega and its influence is meant to encompass the breadth of a person?s life. Most men and women enter the beginning levels of bwami, but few reach the highest rank, known as kindi. According to Biebuyck, masks of the muminia type are quite rare. In general, muminia represents the wise initiate, a person of descretion and equanimity, in opposition to the neophyte who is still unstabe and impetuous. In different aphorisms the mask is referred to as mbezi (a monkey species). In the kilinkumbi rite of kindi, a large wooden mask muminia is hung on a fence amidst a number of ivory maskettes. In this instance it represents the Mothermask. Every participating kindi has placed his mask on the fence around the large wooden mask that symbolized the unity of the groups participating in this rite. Published in: African Sculpture from the Collection of Jay C.Leff, The Museum of Primitive Art, New York, 1964, #114, Jack D. Flam, African Art from the Jay C.Leff Collection, Florida, 1967, The Art of Black Africa: Collection of Jay C. Leff, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh,1969, #307 AHDRC: 0026855 Continent: Africa
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