Mask (hemba)
Unknown Artist
late 1800s–early 1900s
Medium
Wood, reed, paint, and metal
Dimensions
50 × 25 × 27.2 cm
Classification
Mask
Department
African Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Accession Number
2010.450
About this artwork
Suku helmet masks are often used in initiation ceremonies for young men in the society. Helmet masks such as this represent images of deceased elders in the society. They are to ensure successful hunting, help cure illnesses, and protect its wearer from evil. The animal shaped like a gazelle or antelope is typically associated with folktales, proverbs, and personal hunting exploits.