CONGOLESE PENDE MBUYA MASK. Wooden mask of the Pende people, an ethnic group primarily residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mbuya masks are traditionally used in various ceremonies, including initiation rites like the mukanda (male circumcision rituals) and other village festivities, where they embody different characters and roles within the community. Pende Mbuya masks often feature stylized human faces with distinct features such as large, heavily lidded eyes, prominent foreheads, and sometimes a slightly upturned nose. The headdresses are typically made from natural fibers like raffia and can include human hair.
