Chokwe or Luvale Chisaluke mask, Zambia/Angola
pitch, fibers, wood, fur, animal hide, felt
10" tall (mask only), 15" tall from bottom of hood to top of mask, 12" wide, 10" deep
ex private Italian collection, ex. private Belgian collection
This very rare mask from early to mid 20th century has been well preserved. There is some minor loss to the
pitch, leather and felt that cover the wooden form of the mask. The three protruding lumps on the top of the
forehead are interpreted as "wrinkles". The teeth are inset leather and the rim of the mask is made of animal hair.
The mask and burlap hood, also covered in pitch, were once attached to a hand-woven costume that would have
covered the neck and the rest of the body. The wearer often carried a large walking stick as well.
$6000
"This mask represents Chisaluke, a male ancestral spirit that appears towards the end of the mukanda male
initiation to review and refine the dancing skills of the initiates. Each initiate may have his own Chisaluke serving
as his own tutelary spirit. Chisaluke is received in the village by women as a heroic character. In some initiations
Chisaluke jumps over the seated initiates to conclude the mukanda-related events."
From the book - "CHOKWE - Art and Initiation Among Chokwe and Related Peoples" by Manuel Jordan
Additional information on Chisaluke masks can be found in the book on pages 72 - 73.
Examples of Chisaluke masks can be found on page 74 and Plate 96.
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