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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;komokwa, post: 297965, member: 301&quot;]Yes...yes you are !</p><p>Chokwe Mwana Pwo...</p><p><font size="6"><b>Mwana Pwo (Young Woman Mask)</b></font></p><p>By: Adenike Cosgrove Tagged:</p><ul> <li><a href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/angola" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/angola" rel="nofollow">Angola</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/chokwe" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/chokwe" rel="nofollow">Chokwe</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/mask" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/mask" rel="nofollow">Mask</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/mwana+pwo" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/mwana+pwo" rel="nofollow">Mwana Pwo</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/wood" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.imodara.com/tagged/wood" rel="nofollow">Wood</a></li> </ul><p><img src="https://www.imodara.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/chokwe_mwana_pwo.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><i>Image Credits</i></p><ul> <li><i>Top Image: <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/319264?rpp=30&amp;pg=1&amp;ft=pwo&amp;pos=1&amp;imgNo=0&amp;tabName=object-information" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/319264?rpp=30&amp;pg=1&amp;ft=pwo&amp;pos=1&amp;imgNo=0&amp;tabName=object-information" rel="nofollow">The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Mask: Female (Pwo)</a></i></li> <li><i>Bottom Image: <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2008/african-oceanic-and-pre-columbian-art-n08444/lot.161.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2008/african-oceanic-and-pre-columbian-art-n08444/lot.161.html" rel="nofollow">Sotheby’s African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art New York Auction, 16 May 2008</a></i></li> </ul><p><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/imodara/chokwe-mwana-pwo-masks/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.pinterest.com/imodara/chokwe-mwana-pwo-masks/" rel="nofollow">More Images...</a></p><p><b>Description</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Found amongst the Chokwe of Angola, these feminine masks (<i>Pwo</i> meaning ‘woman’ - an adult woman that has given birth and <i>Mwana Pwo</i> meaning ‘young woman’ - youthful, feminine beauty) are used to pay homage to female ancestors believed to be responsible for the fertility of the community.</p><p><br /></p><p>Worn by men of the community, the masks are used during masquerade celebrations (danced together with the male counterpart, <i>Chihongo</i> / <i>Cihongo</i>) to bring fertility, peace, wealth and wellbeing to the village. The man that wears the mask completes his masquerade ensemble with wooden breasts and a bustle allowing the dancer to move delicately and gracefully, emulating a woman (young girls learn manners and grace by watching performances).</p><p><br /></p><p><i><b>NOTE:</b> Masks with few scarification details are used to represent the younger </i>Mwana Pwo.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Distinguishing Features</b></p><p><br /></p><ul> <li>High forehead occasionally carved with head-band</li> <li>Ears are usually curved or semi-circular with the tragus depicted</li> <li>Eyes placed in large, concave sockets<ul> <li>Usually almond-shaped</li> <li>Usually half-closed slits</li> <li>Swollen eyelids prolonged down to centre of concave eye-sockets</li> </ul></li> <li>Sharply defined mouth<ul> <li>Partially open</li> <li>Protruding flattened lips</li> <li>Filed triangular teeth</li> </ul></li> <li>Scarification usually engraved, cut away or carved in relief (older masks always depict scarification which was seen as a sign of beauty along with filed teeth). Scarification marks include:<ul> <li><i>Cingelyengelye</i>: triangular marks on the centre of the forehead representing the Chokwe creator god, Nzambi</li> <li><i>Cijingo</i>: circular sun disks carved on the cheeks, denoting a spiral brass bracelet</li> <li><i>Mitelumuna</i>: carved on the forehead and extending to the temples, denoting ‘knitted eyebrows’ to show arrogance or dissatisfaction</li> <li><i>Masoji</i>: vertical marks carved under the eyes, denoting tears</li> <li><i>Kapile</i>: patterns on the chin</li> <li><i>Kangongo</i>: deep line down the nose</li> </ul></li> </ul><p>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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