Tree Top Gallery

Numbering about 250,000 the Kuba live in the area of central Democratic Republic of Congo bordered by the Sankuru, Kasai, and Lulua rivers. This is a region of valleys where numerous rivers flow south to north; the hills are covered with brush and the rivers are bordered by forests. The art of the Kuba is one of the most highly developed of all African traditions, and significant cultural accomplishments are part of their heritage. Over twenty types of masks are used among the Kuba, with meanings and functions that vary from group to group. Kuba wooden helmet masks are probably the most commonly produced items, popular with collectors.

Kuba Mask
Origin: Congo
PRICE: $450 CDN

Kuba masks are used to tell the origin story of the Kuba peoples when they are danced in a ceremony to reenacts the royal dynastic myth. These masks may also appear at initiations and funerals. They are part of a full body costume made of bark cloth and raffia cloth and decorated with symbolic objects. As with most Kuba art, they are embellished with cowries, beads, metal, fur, rafia fiber and geometric designs. The color of the beads are signifiers: the blue range of colors are suggest high rank; the red range refer to suffering and fertility; and the white range speak of purity, the sacred, and mourning. Cowrie shells are a display of wealth and status.

Kuba Mask
Origin: Congo
PRICE: $400 CDN

The kifwebe mask is one of the better known masks of the Luba people. The mask's origins are attributed to three spirits which emerged from a ditch near a lake. The female spirit, attracted by humans, went to live with them. The two male spirits stayed in the bush, but visited the village where they so dazzled people with their dancing that the men begged to be initiated. These masks are generally characterized by lineal patterns all over the face.  They were worn with a raffia costume and danced in male/female spirit couples. Kifwebe connects this world to the spirit world.

Luba Kifwebe Masks
Origin: Congo
Cost: $350 CDN each

In reenactments of Kuba mythological origins and royal power struggles, these masks with their bulging foreheads, represent the evil brother Bwoom who seeks the thrown of his brother, King Mwaash A Mboy, and his wife, Ngaady A Mwaash. Bwoon is a symbol of the common man.

Bwoom Masks
Origin: Congo
Cost: $450 CDN each