Mbuya Mask (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
The mbuya ya mukhetu represents the young woman among the pantheon of characters found in Pende masquerades. These masks often have specific names, sometimes representing the different dances it might perform. Mbuya ya mukhetu refers to the genre of female masks more generally. The form of this mask captures Pende aesthetic ideals of the feminine, including slitted eyes, a smooth forehead, and plump cheeks.
Gift of Roger A. Provencher
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
