Yombe mask

Masque Yombe – Nganga Mask

AHDRC 0020772

height of 26 cm

This striking Yombe Nganga mask is a rare and powerful artifact from the Kongo cultural group. Used in rituals led by nganga (spiritual healers or diviners), such masks were believed to channel ancestral forces and mediate between the physical and spiritual realms. The Yombe, a subgroup of the Kongo people, are renowned for their expressive carvings, often distinguished by finely detailed features and a commanding presence.

Expertly carved and bearing an aura of spiritual potency, this mask was collected between 1920 and 1935 by Belgian colonial administrator François Restiau in the Congo. It later became part of the distinguished collection of Michel Koenig (1944–2014), a respected Belgian collector known for his expertise in African art.

This piece stands as a testament to the artistry and ritual significance of Yombe sculptural traditions.

Read more about the  ngobudi Yombe  mask