A fine example of a Chewa dance mask.

Collected in 2005 in a village near Chipata in Zambia.The Chewa also inhabit the eastern reaches of Zambia in the central and northern part of the country, where it borders Malawi

The masks remain hidden when they are not in use and no female is allowed to set eyes on them, unless they are being danced.
We found many different varieties, some not even carved from wood, but made from tire tubing or fabric.Often, before we were able to purchase a mask, we had to see it being danced. It was a very interesting trip and the mask for sale here was hidden in a sacred forest, where we witnessed it being danced as well.The mask is of a colonial nature and depicts an official, probably a policeman with the cap.wood,fibre and red paint.

If you have more information concerning this object, its symbolism, its ritual use, its ethnic group, do not hesitate to leave us a comment by clicking the lower button..

+/- 1980

Malawi

Chewa

20 x 14

0.172