Likomba Mask 1
Likomba Mask 1
Artist: Unknown Makonde artist
Name: likomba (pl. makomba; sometimes also called lipiko) face mask
Origin: Makonde people of Northern Mozambique and Southern Tanzania
Made of: Wood (ntene), human hair, beeswax, natural pigment
Dimensions: Height: 10¼ in (26 cm), width: 7¾ in (19.7 cm), depth: 4¼ in (10.7 cm)
From: Gift of Dr. Oliver E. and Pamela F. Cobb, 2009
Accession no. 2009.02.002
On display in the PLU’s Mortvedt Library (2nd floor)
Mozambique
Tanzania
Description: A facemask of carved wood with natural pigment and human hair marked adorned with additional features such as pierced ear holes, carved eyebrows, and a carved lip plug. Two holes, one behind each ear, was likely used to secure the mask when it was being worn or performed.