Chokwe Mwana Pwo Mask

A minimalistic variation of the iconic genre of Mwana Pwo (young woman) masks, the mask represents female ancestors depicted as beautiful young women. Even with the low-cut, lineal grooved coiffure, the mask still possesses strong Chokwe attributes like the incised coiffure, the dark brown, symmetrical face, pronounced arched brows, high foreheads, balanced features, filed teeth, and scarification. The scarification design on the forehead which may duplicate those of the actual woman whose beauty inspired the carver, is known as cingelyengelye . Inscribed motifs on the Mwana Pwo mask forehead and cheeks are classic graphic designs that aesthetically enhanced a woman’s beauty in past generations