Bene Lulua Mask on Custom Stand Congo

Description: {Description}Bene Lulua Mask on Custom Stand Congo Masks of the Bene and Lulua people are well known for the elaborate scarification patterns worked onto the surface of the pieces. These patterns are identified in some instances with symbolic meaning but must equally be viewed as aesthetic embellishments important to the Lulua. Though banned in the late 1880's, scarification has reemerged albeit in a much-reduced fashion to again identify the Lulua. The Lulua, also known as the Luluwa, live in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which produces an enormous number of statues and prestige objects, related both in style and use. The proximity to two huge old kingdoms, the Kuba and the Luba, has influenced almost all the smaller cultures in the region. The Bena Lulua produces some spectacular statues, heavy with their unique and precise scarification patterns. Numbering around 300,000, the Lulua have an interesting hierarchical social structure resembling the caste system in India. They worship ancestors, both real and mythic, whose spirits are thought to inhabit the rocks and the trees. They build shrines to house their effigies, and sometimes employ the smoking of hemp in ceremonies to honor them. Their art is somewhat scarce, with statues far more common than masks. The smallest of their figures, carved with bent legs and hands to the cheeks, are thought to represent the burial position used for village leaders. Lulua art is highly valued and considered a form of prestige and wealth. It is believed to have protective and spiritual powers, connecting the living with their ancestors and the spirit world. The sculptures are often placed in shrines or used in ceremonial practices to honor and communicate with ancestral spirits. Hemp-smoking ceremonies may also be conducted as part of these rituals. The Lulua people have been influenced by neighboring kingdoms, such as the Kuba and Luba, and their artistic traditions reflect these cultural interactions. While statues are more common in Lulua art, masks are relatively scarce. The production of these sculptures, with their intricate details and cultural symbolism, demonstrates the artistic mastery and spiritual significance within Lulua society. Height (In)20.0 Width (In)8.0 Depth (In)7.0 148520 148520 × × × × × × × × × × Buy now and save! Tell a friend Visit store Watch now Postage info Click the Postage tab above the listing description for more info Click the Postage tab above the listing description for more info! Additional delivery notes PICK UP OPTION Sorry, our items are NOT available for pick-up. PAYING VIA PAYPAL We accept PayPal on our all our items so you can shop with confidence. Simple choose the PayPal option when proceeding through the checkout. Additional Information No additional information at this time Ask seller a question You might also like Tutsi Basket Rwanda Pink 7.25 Inch Urhobo Shrine Wood Figure Nigeria Zulu Telephone Wire Basket South Africa Bead Bundle #2 Contact To contact our Customer Service Team, simply click the button here and our Customer Service team will be happy to assist. Ask seller a question © My Store Postage Click the Postage tab above the listing description for more info Payment Accepted Payment Methods PayPal Returns Returns are accepted Items must be returned within 30 days of the auction ending Buyer will pay for return shipping. eBay integration by

Price: 390 USD

Location: Denver, Colorado

End Time: 2024-11-28T15:21:37.000Z

Shipping Cost: 39.98 USD