Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mid 20th century
Wood, wood pegs, plant fiber, & animal fur
H x W: 9 x 11 inches
Lele
The 20,000 Lele people occupy the western region of the Kuba kingdom and live from hunting and agriculture. They make their living mostly from hunting and agriculture. Lele carvers produced face masks at the annual founding celebrations which are nearly flat and have slit eyes surrounded by multiple lines. The Lele use prestige objects influenced by the Kuba style. The figures on these objects occasionally have a coiffure with two long plaits down the back.