Female (Pwo) Mask

Definition

A female (Pwo) mask is a type of African mask used in ceremonies and rituals by the Chokwe people. It represents the idealized beauty and fertility of women.

Analogy

Imagine a glamorous celebrity wearing a stunning mask at an awards ceremony, symbolizing the epitome of beauty and femininity.

Related terms

Bundu Mask: The Bundu mask is an African mask worn by women during initiation ceremonies among the Mende people in Sierra Leone. It represents female wisdom, maturity, and serves as a guardian spirit.

Ikenga (Shrine Figure): An Ikenga is a shrine figure created by the Igbo people in Nigeria. It typically depicts a male figure with two horns on its head and symbolizes personal achievement, success, and spiritual power.

Fang Reliquary Figure: An African sculpture created by the Fang people to house ancestral relics. These figures have elongated bodies with abstract facial features and serve as guardians of ancestral spirits.