Tribal Luba-Songye Face Mask
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Description
LUBA-SONGYE MASK
Luba-Songye Tribal Ghost Mask
Region: Zaire / South Eastern Congo
Height: 29cm / 11.5 inches
Width: 22cm / 8.5 inches
There are numerous mask styles associated with the Songye and neighbouring Luba tribe. Songye objects have been misattributed to the Luba and vice versa – and difficult to tell them apart.
The Songye tribal origins are shared with the Luba through a common mythical Songye ancestor known as Kongolo, who can be traced through lineages to the 16th century.
The linguistic traditions of these neighbouring peoples are intertwined as well. It is believed that the founders of the Songye emerged from the lake region in Shaba province to the south in the heart of the Luba homeland.
The Lomani River divides Songye territory and marks the boundary of the areas invaded by the Luba. As a result of these geographic and political differences there emerged of two distinct social structures among the eastern and western Songye and two stylistic differences in art forms between the two areas.
