Woyo masks
{{Short description|African ritual object}}File:Masque Woyo-Musée royal de l'Afrique centrale (1).jpg.]]
Woyo masks are ritual masks made by the Woyo people of Central Africa. The masks are typically larger than a face and worn with a costume made of dried banana leaves or turaco plumage that covers the entire body.{{Cite journal |last=Lehuard |first=Raoul |date=1993 |title=Masks among the Kongo peoples |url=https://libids1.uncg.edu/illiad/illiad.dll?Action%3D10&Form%3D75&Value%3D436395 |journal=Face of the spirits: masks from the Zaïre Basin |pages=25–37 }} The masks, drums, and other aspects of a ritual dance were often called ndunga or bandunga derived from a secret society of men of the same name.{{Cite journal |last=Cooksey |first=Susan |last2=Poynor |first2=Robin |last3=Vanhee |first3=Hein |date=2013 |title=Kongo across the Waters |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43306192?searchText=Woyo+AND+masks&searchUri=/action/doBasicSearch?Query=Woyo+AND+masks&so=rel&ab_segments=0/basic_search_gsv2/control&refreqid=fastly-default:71c79d07438cc7f31fe7a1e8d88fbbad&seq=6 |journal=African Arts |volume=46 |issue=4 |pages=74–87 |issn=0001-9933}} The ndunga society enacts sentencing for crimes by channeling the will of their ancestors and supernatural spirits or deities. The people of this area were called Ngoyo by Europeans.{{Cite web |title=New Page 1 |url=http://www.zyama.com/woyo/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=www.zyama.com}}
Materials and meaning
The Woyo masks are crafted from gourds.{{Cite web |title=Great Mask Kumbukutu Ndunga Woyo |url=https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/african-art/African-mask/Woyo-mask/17803# |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Great Mask Kumbukutu Ndunga Woyo – African art – african mask, african statue, bronze – The reference in african art, ethnic art and tribal art. |language=EN}} Then they are carved out of wood for use, and painted with contrasting colors. The colors used had symbolic meaning; the whitening of masks often meant it was female.{{Cite journal |last=Felix |first=Marc Leo |date=2018 |title=Ukongo Stylistic Zone |url=https://libids1.uncg.edu/illiad/illiad.dll?Action%3D10&Form%3D75&Value%3D436398 |journal=Congo Masks: Masterpieces from Central Africa: a book and catalogue |pages=66-87}} In some cases the masks are repainted to symbolize rebirth, or in a ritual to restore the power of the mask.{{Cite web|url=http://www.artyfactory.com/africanmasks/masks/woyo.htm|title=African Masks – Woyo|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=2016-11-13}} The masks are often used as tributes to Nkisi, the local deities.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Woyo Tribes – African Tribes |url=http://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/woyo_tribe.html |access-date=2016-11-14 |website= |publisher=}}The masks were worn mostly by men in ceremonial dances known as the ndunga. They were also used in various ceremonies like those aimed to protect against disaster, an initiation of a chief or funerals of high-ranking officials. The ndunga society wore the masks, costume, and a whip or sword as symbols of their ability to channel the ancestors will in criminal matters.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.zyama.com/woyo/index.htm Information about the Woyo people]