Pende Tribe Mask

Pende Tribe Mbuya Mask – This is a Pende "Mbuya" mask made of wood from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These masks were worn by young initiates during initiation society lessons for young men. These masks are "blind", as there are no eye holes for the wearer to see through.

About the Tribe

The Pende people, also known as the Phende, are an ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) south-western region. The Pende, like their neighbors the Yaka and Suku, can be traced back to modern-day Angola, where they lived between the Atlantic Coast and the Kwanza (Cuanza) River. During the Lunda expansion in 1620, they were forced north to their current region, resulting in numerous cultural influences. The Pende are divided into two cultural groups: the Western Pende, who live just east of the Yaka River, and the Eastern Pende, who live on the western bank of the Kasai River. Although the two groups are distinct, they all consider themselves to be members of the same ethnic group.

Dimensions: H:8.7" W:5.1" L:3.1" Weight: 0.7 lbs.