Antique Songye Mask From Congo 13x8.5 with rafia upto 28 in congo the key of the Nile

the key of the Nile or crux ansata (Latin meaning "cross with a handle")

and costume all have symbolic meaning

A man will own his spouse

Wildflowers

and intervenes at the time of agrarian rituals and funerals

Antique Songye Mask From Congo 13x8.5 with rafia upto 28 in congo the key of the NileTRIBAL AFRICAN ART SONGYE (BASONGE, BASONGYE, BASSONGO, BAYEMBE, SONGE, SONGHAY, WASONGA) Democratic Republic of the Congo n the Songye language, a mask is a kifwebe: this term has been given to masks representing spirits and characterized by striations. Depending on the region, it may be dark with white strips, or the reverse. The kifwebe masks embodied supernatural forces. The kifwebe society used them to ward off disaster or any threat. The masks,