Ancient African Mask - Tribal Art - Salampasu Warrior Mask - Drc / Zaire / Angola

Second half of the 20th century Democratic Republic of Congo / Zaire / Angola Private collection - France, collected in the DRC in the years 1955 - 1960 Originating from the ritual traditions of the Salampasu people, this warrior mask is representative of productions inspired by male initiation societies and rites of passage. Salampasu masks embodied strength and warrior hierarchy, and their possession was strictly reserved for initiates who had proven their bravery through several trials. However, although period, this mask seems to be part of a production intended for the art market or commercial exchanges, rather than in a strictly ritual context. A mask inspired by Salampasu warrior traditions The Salampasu, a people of warriors and hunters, structured their hierarchy through an initiatory society where each degree of advancement gave access to a specific mask. Three categories of masks were associated with these initiations: • Hunters • Warriors • The chief The most prestigious masks were covered with copper plates, while the first levels of initiation wore carved wooden masks. Some masks were so feared that women and children fled the village upon hearing their name pronounced (Henderson, 1940). The costume, made of animal skins and plant fibers, was just as sacred as the mask. Once worn, the ensemble became a Mukishi, a being invested with spiritual and social power. During ceremonies, the wearer held antelope horns or a double-edged sword, reinforcing the intimidating and ritual aspect of the performance. Stylistic and ethnographic characteristics This mask adopts the imposing and aggressive aesthetic specific to Salampasu masks: • Domed and prominent forehead, conferring a powerful and formidable appearance. • Angular and massive nose, characteristic of warrior masks. • Wide open mouth with zigzag-carved teeth, evoking ferocity. • Presence of carved wooden nipples on the sides, a feature observed on certain traditional masks. • Side perforations, generally used to fix a fiber costume, are absent here, which questions its real use. Dimensions Height: 40 cm Delivery via DHL Express only