Helmet mask, Kuba/Bushoong; D.R.C. Congo
Wood, hammered copper, fiber, cloth, beads, shells;
H. 14"
Helmet masks of this kind are known
among the Bushoong as Bwoom. This is one
of the three so-called royal masks of the Kuba,
the others being the Mwaash a Mbouy and the
Ngaady a Mwaash. In reality it seems that
the concept of a triad of "royal masks"
has been grossly oversimplified. In truth, the Kuba/Bushoong
produce a diversity of masks, and many can perform
by themselves or in conjunction with lesser known
initiatory or village masks. The Bwoom mask
is quite possibly the autochthonous mask of the
region, with variants in nearly all of the Kuba
sub-groups. Though Bushoong folk tales exist to
explain its appearance as a pygmy or a hydrocephalic,
the mask may have more in common with other large
masculine helmet masks dispersed over the wider
general area. Unlike other Kuba masks such as the
Mwaash a Mbouy, which is usually buried with
its owner, the Bwoom may be passed down from
one person to another. Thus it is not unusual to
find old–in some cases ancient–Bwoom
masks still being used by young dancers. This fine
old mask has been rebeaded on numerous occasions
and displays the more archaic "blindfold"
style beading across the eyes, which in more modern
examples becomes thin and stylized.
