Minneapolis Institute of Art

Mask

Makonde artist

Date

1950s

Medium

Wood, hair

Culture

Makonde

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Before Mozambique won its independence from Portuguese colonialism in 1975, Makonde men and women significantly modified their bodies in the name of beauty, as shown on this mask. The modification began at puberty as an important step toward maturity and cultural belonging, enlivening the face and framing the features with tattoos, chipped teeth, and a shaved hairline. Men wore wooden masks like this one at public dance performances, accompanied by drummers and a chorus. The carved hair comb and barrette on the mask show that not all the facial decoration was permanent. Africa

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