Mask 4 19" high $400 |
Mask 6 17" high $400 |
Photographs © Hamill Gallery
Mask 4 19" high $400 |
Mask 6 17" high $400 |
Despite their traditional form and appearance, we believe these masks were made to be sold.
The Holo are a small neighboring group whose masks relate to those of the Yaka except they are usually smaller and lack the often complex structures on top of most Yaka masks. Numbers 1, 3 and 4 are all wood (and raffia), numbers 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 have a reed and cloth top and back to the mask.
The following information is about the better known Yaka headdresses:
The most important event in the Yaka ceremonial cycle is the initiation of young boys into adulthood. To mark the end of the educational period, festivities are held in which the initiates perform with newly carved masks. Additionally, it showcases the most startling masks and the most spectacular dances.
Initiation mukhanda, that includes circumcision, is a crucial part of Yaka life. Circumcision and initiation, mandatory for all young men, are organized in a remote place called mukhanda-mu-msitu. The rituals are organized by the main secret societies : ngoni and yiwilla.
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