Chokwe Mask Mwana Pwo with Headdress Congo

This mask comes from the Chokwe. It belongs to the famous category known as Mwana pwo and had performed during the ceremonies of circumcision and initiation of Young boys. The headdress attached to the mask is well preserved. The face shows typical Chokwe scarification patterns and expression. The Mwana Pwo Chokwe mask is a traditional wooden mask made by the Chokwe people of Central and Southern Africa, particularly in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. The mask represents a young woman, with distinctive scarification marks on her forehead and cheeks, and is used in initiation ceremonies for young girls. The Mwana Pwo Chokwe mask is considered a symbol of beauty, fertility, and wisdom. It is worn by dancers during the mukanda initiation ceremony, which marks the transition of young girls into adulthood. During the ceremony, the mask is danced by a male performer, who embodies the spirit of the young woman depicted in the mask. The dance is accompanied by music and s