Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Nkhanda Mask

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Nkhanda Mask

Several types of brightly colored masks are used in dances celebrating the emergence of young initiates from the Yaka men's circumcision camp. Worn or held by the initiates, masks such as this one have protective powers, crucial as the youths leave the security of boyhood to take on adult responsibilities.

• Culture: Yaka
• Medium: Wood, fiber, pigment
• Possible Place Made: Kwango or Kwilu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dates: early 20th century
• Dimensions: 20 x 14 3/4 x 14 1/2 in. (50.8 x 37.5 x 36.8 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 73.179.3
• Credit Line: Gift of Gaston T. de Havenon
• Image: Overall, 73.179.3_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
Yaka. Nkhanda Mask, early 20th century. Wood, fiber, pigment, 20 x 14 3/4 x 14 1/2 in. (50.8 x 37.5 x 36.8 cm) . Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Gaston T. de Havenon, 73.179.3 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 73.179.3_PS2.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Mask with a small carved wooden face with elaborate woven fiber headdress. The headdress consists of a central raised cone surrounded by four raised fan shapes and an outer rim of five raised cone forms projecting at angles from the center. The face has rectangular shaped ears with horseshoe indentations: the mouth is open and teeth are indicated; the eyes are coffee bean shaped and protrude. Attached around the rim of the mask is a thick raffia collar. Underneath the raffia is a handle of wood. The face and headdress are painted-face has white, blue, black and red pigment; the headdress is painted black with ochre geometric patterns. CONDITION: Raffia very dry and shedding; one point on right side of headdress cracked and fragile. This piece was treated by the Conservation Department (see file in Department office).