Yaka
Mask (Ndemba)
Yaka, Mid 20th century
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Yaka
Mask (Ndemba)
Yaka, Mid 20th century
Physical Qualities
Wood, plant fibers, cloth, 26 x 16 1/2 x 6 1/8 in. (66.1 x 41.9 x 15.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Robert and Mary Cumming, Baltimore
Object Number
1984.254
In the Yaka boy's initiation, lasting for one year, Ndeemba masks are worn to diguise the initiates if they venture out of the initiation camp. At graduation ceremonies the masked initiates dance in pairs. Sexual symbols learned in initiation are evident on the mask: the round lip encircling the face refers to the female sex, while the upturned nose, modeled on the elephant's trunk, refers to the male.
