Biombo (Bena Biombo, Bashibiombo), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Circumcision mask. The Biombo people forms a kind of link between the Kuba on the one hand and the Lele and the Pende on the other, although they have generally remained under the hegemony of the Kuba. The Biombo are, however, an entirely different group from the Kuba, with stylistic forms drawn from a variety of sources. The Biombo occupy a territory limited to the region directly south of the junction of the Lulua and Kasai Rivers. The masks attributed to them have surface decoration related to that of the Eastern Pende, notably surfaces with dark and white triangles, but the principal mask shapes show Kuba influence. The top of the Biombo mask often terminates in three short stubs. The masks were worn in circumcision rites.

Material:  wood

Size:   H. 15”, W. 9”, D. 9”