Wood Knife: Alunga Masquerade Accessory
Bembe, D.R. Congo
Wood, paint, pounded barkcloth
Early 20th century

Alunga, a forest spirit believed to be a god of the dead, appeared in the form of a two-faced mask during rituals organized by members of the bacwa secret society. To clear a path, an assistant preceded him with a ceremonial wood knife, seen here. His ties to the world of the dead made him potentially helpful and dangerous. He could play a formidable role and demand reparation from those who prayed to him; an oracle pronounced his will (Bouttiaux, Persona. Masks of Africa: Identities Hidden and Revealed, 2009). 

The Alunga mask pictured below is in the collection of the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, inv. EO.1954.79.1.

On this example, there is some minimal play (movement) of the grip. 

14.75 in :: 37.5 cm

InventoryID #13-2557

Not For Sale