Antique SONGYE Shield Mask From Congo 15x10 in ashanti the leading dancer wears a

the leading dancer wears a n’kang mask which bears a false beard

but rather the collective community of souls whose positive influence is welcome among the living

they do not represent spirits of the wilderness

ceremonies covered with raffia from Guniea

this figure has a hole on the top which was used for smoking by king or notables

Antique SONGYE Shield Mask From Congo 15x10 in ashanti the leading dancer wears aTRIBAL AFRICAN ART SONGYE (BASONGE, BASONGYE, BASSONGO, BAYEMBE, SONGE, SONGHAY, WASONGA) Democratic Republic of the Congo n the Songye language, a mask is a kifwebe: this term has been given to masks representing spirits and characterized by striations. Depending on the region, it may be dark with white strips, or the reverse. The kifwebe masks embodied supernatural forces. The kifwebe society used them to ward off disaster or any threat. The masks,