Minneapolis Institute of Art

Mwana Pwo Mask

Chokwe artist

Date

20th century

Medium

Wood, raffia, metal

Culture

Chokwe

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Mwana Pwo (young woman) mask represents the female ancestor of the Chokwe people. It embodies ideal feminine beauty and records traditional Chokwe facial scarification patterns. The Mwana Pwo mask is always worn by a man who is disguised as a woman with a bodysuit, false breasts and a cotton skirt. In dances performed for the ruler and the entire community, Mwana Pwo is sometimes accompanied by the male ancestor mask, Cihongo. Cihongo symbolizes authority and wealth; Mwana Pwo symbolizes generative power. During the performance, the Mwana Pwo dancer mimics and exaggerates the mannerisms of young Chokwe women. Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

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