The Binji are related to the Bushoong, the founders of the Kuba kingdom, that includes a number of subgroups such as the Lele, Dengese, Kete, and the Wongo.

However at some point in the past the Binji split off from the Bushoong over issues of initiation and moved eastwards towards the Kasai-Sankuru River region settling in what is today known as Western Kasai Province.

Though moving some distance from the Bushoong, the Binji retained a number of Kuba institutions including the use of masks.

Among the greater Kuba cluster a complex set of masks are danced during initiations, funerals and at the royal court under the king's patronage to dramatize mythological themes portraying the origins of the Kuba.

A large mask, similar to this, called Bwoom (Mbwoom) exists among the Kuba and depending upon the context portrays a commoner or a prince at court or pygmies who are thought to have magical powers.

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+/- 1960

RDC Zaire

Kuba Binji

29 x 25

1.422