This mask is used to denote the rank of the owner in Bwani society. The Lega (Warega) people live in a community that governs itself and has various levels of ranking. The mask is made of carved wood with a variegated brown patina and white kaolin.
This mask is used by the Bwami Society and would be stored in a basket with turtle and snail shells, animal hides, parrot feathers, wild mushrooms, seeds and leaves to represent the natural world. The elders use these items to teach the young about…