Oval shaped mask of wood. It has a protruding brow and bent nose. The mouth is at an angle with hair around the edge and teeth of pale wood. The eyes are represented by white seed pods (only one remaining). Long plant fibre represents the hair and beard. There is a canvas hood attached to the mask. [AB [OPS Move] 14/9/2016]

Collection type: Object
Description: Oval shaped mask of wood. It has a protruding brow and bent nose. The mouth is at an angle with hair around the edge and teeth of pale wood. The eyes are represented by white seed pods (only one remaining). Long plant fibre represents the hair and beard. There is a canvas hood attached to the mask. [AB [OPS Move] 14/9/2016]
Long description: Oval shaped mask of dark wood with protruding brow and large bent nose. The mouth is at an angle and is edged with short black curly hair (? representing lips) and has eight 'teeth' of pale wood. The eyes are rimmed with the same type of hair used to rim the mouth and the pupils are represented with a white seed pod - this seed pod is missing from one of the eyes. On each cheek is incised an arrow pattern. The hair and beard are represented in long grass and hanging from the sides of the mask are dark brown strips of coarsely woven textile. There is a canvas hood at the back by which the mask is secured on the head. [JP 24/5/2004]
Geographical reference: Malawi
Africa > Eastern Africa > Malawi; Lower Shire Valley
Cultural groups: Nyanja Cewa
Person: Field collector Graham Lenton; PRM source Graham Lenton
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1970-1974
Date collected: 1970 - 1974
Acquisition information: Donated: 2001
Materials and processes: Material Wood Plant, Material Grass Fibre Plant, Material Textile, Material Hair, Material Plant Seed Capsule, Process Carved
Dimensions: Height: max 440 mm, Depth: max 102 mm, Width: max 234 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 2001.83.7

Search terms: Mask, Ritual and Ceremonial, Ceremonial Object

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