Female (pwo) mask (Chokwe peoples)

Female (pwo) mask, Chokwe people, Democratic Republic of Congo, early 20th century, wood, plant fiber, pigment, copper alloy, 39.1 cm high (Smithsonian National Museum of African Art) Speakers: Dr. Peri Klemm and Dr. Beth Harris

. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

[lf]

Amazing. Female energy in Africa is powerful.

[momig]

I grew up in the 1950's in Angola in the Chokwe area and my parents both spoke it daily. It's pronounced Choke-way, not Chok-way.

[Sasha]

Nothing like a Sunday. What a beautiful thing to be able to attend an epic service and spend some of my precious moments of rest with you guys. 🥰😌

It's interesting that men would dance, but I'll take it. I love when people honor one another - whatever form that may take.
The hair of this mask definitely grabs my attention. Some of it's tied up and neat, some allowed to hang loosely and freely. It is just a style or meant to symbolically represent the need of a woman to balance order with flexibility?
"She doesn't have to talk... she deserves respect. She doesn't have to open her eyes wide - she's already knowing." That's hella deep. I like that. I'm gonna walk around silently squinting until somebody get it, lol.

[uchennaokohokpara]

Ala na zu NWA ezenwanyi Mom don't let your children suffer