Round Mask with Square Features

Origin: Ngombe Tribe, D.R. Congo
Composition: wood, pigment stain

Ngombe tribe masks are recognizable for their less refined and more geometric features, white applied pigment, and similarity to Lega tribe masks. They are thought to have been worn during Mani secret society ceremonies.

The 120,000 Ngombe live scattered along the banks of the Lualaba River. They migrated during the 18th century from Lake Victoria and finally settled in their present site in the 19th century. They are led by a chief, accredited by the warrior's society (Elombe), who rules over the village and family chiefs (Bacquart, Tribal Arts of Africa).