Hemba (Bahemba), Democratic Republic of the Congo
Hemba (Bahemba), Democratic Republic of the Congo
Chimpanzee mask. In southeast DRC, the 80,000 Hemba people inhabit vast plains surrounded by high hills and bordered by streams, rocks, and marshes. The Hemba are primarily subsistence agriculturalists growing manioc, maize, peanuts, sesame, yams and beans. These crops are supplemented by hunting and fishing done by the men. The Hemba practice ancestor worship to justify the present authority and power of the chief of the clan.
Masks used by the So’o, a semi-secret society, represents a strange were-chimpanzee with a large, pierced, crescent-shaped mouth and a pointed nose. This mask was worn not on the face but at the waist at the belt line. Its features represents a creature of the bush half monkey half human human.
#M9H9M323
Hemba Chimp Mask
8" x 5" x 3.5"
$115 + $25 (S&H)
