Description of Art
The Mask (Ndemba) is an art object representing a mask used in the Yaka culture. The culture was widespread in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the mid-20th century (Mask (Ndemba)). Unfortunately, the author of the mask is unknown, but we can be sure that mask belongs to Yaka. Masks have always been an essential part of rituals and ceremonies, so the paper will explore the socio-cultural context to establish the reasons for creating masks and their value to Yaka. The context is necessary to understand the relationship between creating such masks and their use.
Analyzing the Sociocultural Context
First, Ndemba masks were used in the Yaka culture as part of the transition from boys to men. The masks are symbolic objects establishing a boy’s death and a man’s birth; when a boy must receive a mask, he is circumcised (Headdress (Ndeemba)). Secondly, the masks were valued as tools to demonstrate male strength and superiority over women (Learn More: Yaka Ndeemba Mask). The Yaka culture was androgynocentric, so the role of women was small and they were not allowed quite so much. Thirdly, the masks reflect the central sphere of Yaka activity: agriculture (Learn More: Yaka Ndeemba Mask). Multiple plant fibers make up the central mass of the mask, and there is a wooden base in the center, figured as a demonstration of strength and masculinity. The context of the creation of this mask must be considered because, without it, it is not sufficiently clear why it looks this way. Also, its value as an art object can be lost without understanding the context.
Aspects of Art
Vivid examples of the depiction of historical context in the art are what characters are depicted in the works. For example, a painting with many women in puffy dresses suggests that this is the heyday of the 17th and 18th centuries. Another example is the distribution of men and women in paintings- the predominance of women is rare because, at all times, history has been more favorable to the male sex. The personal context is often reflected in the addition of the artists themselves in the background of the painting as observers.
Works Cited
“Headdress (Ndeemba)”. Met Museum, no date, Web.
“Learn More: Yaka Ndeemba Mask”. Pacific Lutheran University, Web.
“Mask (Ndemba)”. Collection Art BMA, 2022, Web.