The Chokwe Pwo Mask

Made in the early 20th century by the Chokwe people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Pwo mask is quintessential piece of African Art. This 15 inch mask is made of primarily of wood and plant fiber covered in pigments and small copper alloy accessories. The mask was worn by a man during tribal dances to honor what was seen as the ideal woman and the founding female ancestors of the Chokwe people. The Chokwe people placed a high amount of privilege and honor towards its women so this mask would have been used to reassure that respect to the tribes women. When this mask was danced it was accompanied by an equally elaborate costume that would have drawn attention towards the fertility of many of the tribes women. To symbolize the grace
of Chokwe women, when dancing the wearer of the mask would have moved in a very graceful and fluid way.
The appearance of this mask was very important to the Chokwe people because of its symbolisation of their women. The eyes and mouth of the mask are depicted as shut to emphasize calmness and respect given towards women a the quiet base of their tribe. The large size of the eyes and their white pigment color was a sign of spirituality and connection with the founding Chokwe women. Small dots around the eyes were to symbolise womens tattoo and scarification patterns they displayed throughout the tribes history. The great detail in the hair was to show a great sense of beauty in the Chokwe females with that being the popular style of hair among Chokwe females at the time. Lastly, the constant use of circles was used to show an eternal sense of gratefulness for women and the long lasting influence of the tribes female ancestors.