Kuba Pwoom Itok mask The mask is worn by dancers at funerals of
dignitaries and in puberty rites. It represents a wise and tired
old man that other dancers come to consult. The mask has a large
bulging forehead running down to a sharp protruding nose and a
small but pronounced mouth. The head-dress is in the shape of a
crown made of raffia stuffed with grass and has cowries and
guinea fowl feathers bunched at the peak. The carved relief on
the forehead typifies the Kuba hairstyle shaved to a sharp angle
over the temples - this hairstyle also appears on Kuba figures
and anthromorphic palm wine cups. Once again this Kuba mask has
remnants of kaolin on the forehead forming characteristic
triangular patterns associated with the scales of the pangolin
(manis tricuspis). And underneath the eyes are vertical stripes
on the cheeks representing tears. The Kuba are located in south
eastern Congo and number around 250,000. Their neighbouring
people are Tchokwe, Luba and Luluwa. The kingdom is actually
comprised of aroun