Male Face Mask (Chihongo)
Mid–late 19th century
Medium
Wood, raffia, burlap, turaco feathers, guinea fowl feathers, and pigment
Dimensions
66.1 × 50.8 × 25.4 cm (26 × 20 × 10 in.)
Classification
masks
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
181740
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The Chokwe use masquerades to engage with their ancestors, encouraging them to guide, protect, and educate the living. Chihongo is the male equivalent of the female mwana pwo mask. The male mask’s feathered headdress, red coloring, scarification patterns, stylized beard, and filed teeth evoke wisdom, leadership, and status. While both mask characters partake in performances during male initiation rites, chihongo appears at other events where a chief’s affirmation is desired.