What does the kwele mask represent?
What does the kwele mask represent?
Kwele masks represent the antelope whose flesh was eaten at the end of the ‘beete’ ritual. Kwele masks have two large horns which sometimes encircle and frame the face. Areas of the face are often painted with white kaolin clay, the color of the spirits.
What do patterns on African masks represent?
The patterns are combined on masks to represent the prohibitions, rules for proper conduct of life, and requirements of the spirits the masks represent–they are visible forms of the soser of the Lobi. Allegorical and nonrepresentational, the masks incarnate the invented spirits.
Where is the kwele tribe located?
Republic of the Congo
The Kwele people are a tribal group of eastern Gabon, Republic of the Congo, and Cameroons in Central Africa. They fled the coastal area of West Africa during the 19th century, after their traditional enemies acquired firearms from the slave traders. This altercation is often called the “Poupou” war.
What are biombo masks used for?
African Masks – Biombo A triangular checkerboard design is used to decorate the eyebrows and the planes of the face. The three forms at the back of the head represent the Biombo hairstyle. Feathers are often attached to the top of Biombo masks. Biombo masks are usually worn during tribal rituals and ceremonies.
What do African masks mean?
In rituals, African masks represent deities, mythological beasts and gods; metaphors for good and evil, the dead, animals, nature and any other force that is considered more powerful than man himself.
Why would this African ceremonial mask be worn?
The traditional African mask is worn during celebrations, dances and festivities and ritual ceremonies commemorating social and religious events. They are often used in dance ceremonies to make the connection between the human world and the spirit world.
What does a Kwele mask look like?
Kwele masks have two large horns which sometimes encircle and frame the face. Areas of the face are often painted with white kaolin clay, the color of the spirits. Kwele ‘ekuk’ masks are beautifully stylised with a heart shaped face, almond shaped eyes and a small or non-existent mouth. Kwele Territory Map.
What is the meaning of Ekuk Kwele?
‘Ekuk’ means the ‘spirits of the forest’ and the ‘children of the beete’. Kwele masks represent the antelope whose flesh was eaten at the end of the ‘beete’ ritual. Kwele masks have two large horns which sometimes encircle and frame the face.
What is an Ekuk mask?
Kwele ‘ekuk’ masks are beautifully stylised with a heart shaped face, almond shaped eyes and a small or non-existent mouth. T he Kwele occupy a huge area of forested land that stretches across the borders of Gabon, Cameroon and the Congo.
