This richly decorated mask, titled Royal Man’s Mask or Mukenga, personifies Woot (pronounced wote), remembered in oral histories as the ancestor and first king of the Kuba Kingdom in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The long, curved head ornament is meant to look like an elephant’s trunk, since the elephant is a royal emblem, and beaded strips around the crown of the head represent tusks. White beads and cowrie shells signify Woot’s wealth and purity. The presence of red denotes his good fortune, and blue/black communicates his high rank. This mask has a beard, representing the wisdom gained from age, made of raffia (a natural fiber from the leaves of the raffia palm tree). Other versions of a Woot mask might show a beard made from leopard skin or monkey fur. These physical features underscore the ideal traits of a Kuba leader.

The Kuba Kingdom lies in an area bounded by the Sankuru, Lulua, and Kasai Rivers in the southeast of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo. The kingdom comprises more than 10 ethnic groups, all speaking variations of the Bushong language, united under a single king. Artistic works from the Kuba Kingdom often demonstrate the kingdom’s history and wealth through elaborate ornamentation. Kings are represented by the most fanciful works, including monumental masks like this one. The masks are made from an assortment of materials—plant fiber like raffia, cotton, beads, copper, or shells. These decorative elements all provide clues to the identity of the character the mask is meant to personify.

Woot is the central, mythic figure from whom all Kuba kings descend. According to legend, there was a great battle between Woot and his brother Bwoom (pronounced bwohm) both for control of the kingdom and for the affection of their sister Mweel (pronounced mWHEEL). Woot was triumphant, wed his sister, and established his rule over the land.

The Woot mask would be utilized during initiations, funerals, and performances that told the stories of Kuba people. Dancers would wear royal costumes and don these masks as a way to connect themselves and their community to their ancestral origins.

• Part 1: The cowrie shells on this mask are a sign of wealth and royal privilege. Instead of bills and coins (or credit cards and cryptocurrency!), cowrie shells like these were once widely used as currency across the African continent, valued for their durability, portability, and unique appearance. Tell students about other examples of currency from around the world, present and past. Have them compare their findings.
• Part 2: Ask students to imagine something of value they might use in place of the money we use today. Encourage them to search their homes, classrooms, or nature for their new currency. Bring to class and share as Show and Tell. When sharing, ask students to state their object by name and explain why they chose it.