This mask in the PLU Collection is one of three styles used by the Yaka people of the northern Congo in the Mukanda coming of age ceremony, in which boys are circumcised. There are two classes of adult leader figures, who wear different masks, as well as the initiates’ masks, which are danced at the ceremonies.

Yaka masks are typically made from wood and are often painted with bright colors or adorned with raffia, shells, and other decorative elements. They are used in a variety of cultural and religious contexts, including initiation ceremonies, funerals, and healing rituals.

Throughout their seclusion and upon conclusion of their training, members of nkhanda present a variety of masked performances. The masks are believed to offer protection to the boys during the period of physical and spiritual vulnerability. They also serve to introduce important Yaka moral and social precepts as well as to entertain.

The Yaka people of Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have a male initiation society known as Makunda or N’khanda, which is charged with circumcising, hazing, and teaching boys to become a man (mainly, education in hunting and sex).

This Mask (Ndeemba) has been featured prominently in the African galleries since making its debut at the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1962. Dated to the 1900s, the object is part of a group of eight masks that appear at the end of the circumcision and …

Artist: Unknown Yaka artist. Name: Ndeemba mask. Origin: Yaka people, Democratic Republic of Congo. Made of: Wood, raffia, , fabric, pigment. Dimensions: 27 ½ inches (70 centimeters) tall, 13 inches (33.02 centimeters) wide, 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) deep. From: Gift of Dr. Oliver E. and Pamela F. Cobb, 2008

This traditional African Yaka mask linked to the mukanda initiation (circumcision) often appears in pairs, but differentiated. Theoretically, it is danced by a young person occupying a privileged status. The "antennae" of the Ndeemba mask and the higher central point represent long tapered braids, symbols of genetic power.

Among Yaka and Suku peoples, the conclusion of mukanda--coming to manhood rites--is accompanied by performances of kholuka masks. The imagery that surmounts these masks translates into visual form the lyrics of songs that emphasize gender differences.

The most common masks (kholuka) are used by initiates and vary greatly. A tutor wears a zoomorphic mask named mpakasa (examples are masks 6 and 14 on Yaka masks archives page). During its performance, the mask was held by a handle hidden behind the raffia cloth (showing only on mask 13 on Yaka masks archives page).

2024年11月19日 · Discover the captivating world of the Yaka mask, a symbol of Sri Lankan tradition and folklore. Explore its origins, artistry, and cultural importance in this insightful article.