Initiation mask

Suku artist

20th century

Wood, raffia

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A carved wooden mask with a braided hairstyle is partially covered by a circular fringe of raffia. The mask has a dark blue and white painted face with closed eyes. The red-faced mask with the thick collar of natural raffia comes from the Congolese Suku people. This mask appeared during male initiation rituals: it was danced in a forest camp while teaching adolescents about the rules of good behavior and the secrets of life. It appeared again when, after up to a year, they returned to the village as adult members of society. That masks played a major role in the context of initiation is related to the fact that masks were among the objects used in attempts to approach and influence the invisible realm of ancestors, spirits, and magic forces. As such they had an important part to play in the rel