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Mask and costume (bwoom)

Kuba

Artwork Details

Mask and costume (bwoom)
circa 1960
Kuba
bark cloth, woven raffia, wood, copper, glass beads, kola nuts, kola, animal skin
23 5/8 in x 10 1/4 in x 11 13/16 in (60.01 cm x 26.04 cm x 30 cm)
Gift of Marc Leo Felix, Brussels
1986/2.5A

Tags

Description

Subject Matter:

This costume and mask depcits bwoom, a character from the trio of royal Kuba masks. Bwoom represents a number of impediments to the Kuba founding king: the king's younger brother, commoners, or a magical trickster/pygmy. Bwoom represents the autochthonous, pre-dynastic political powers that the king overcomes.

Physical Description:

A full-body costume and mask depicting a human figure.

Usage Rights:

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