Beyond Africa (Later Africa)

The Bwami mask is made out of  Wood, plant fiber, and pigment from Democratic Republic of Congo. Its associated with yananio,the second-highest grade of bwami. This is not a mask people wear because it is to small so it is displayed in many different ways. Each mask doesn’t have the same meaning. But The masks symbolize continuity between the ancestors and the living community and are thought to be direct links to deceased relatives and past members of bw ami. Sources: Later African Textbook Stokstad

Bwami Mask

Compared to the Bwami Mask the LEGA TITLED-ELDER WEARING PRESTIGE HAT also symbolizes something unique. The hats they wear had made for different grade levels in Bwami. It depicts Lusolo, a lutumbo lwa kindi which indicates he is in the highest grade in Bwami Association. Attached to the front are mussel shells that publicly proclaim the status of the wearer. In this instance the mussel shell that usually identifies the wearer’s high rank has been replaced with buttons.

Lega Titled-Elder Wearing Prestige Hat – From Democratic Republic of Congo, 1967.