TSHOKWE, Democratic Republic of Congo. Wood, fine patina, plant fibres, raffia. In the Tshokwe communities of the southern savannah region of Central Africa, ancestral spirits known as makishi return to this world as animated beings to instruct the living. During the initiation of young men, the makishi take the form of masks to pass on knowledge from generation to generation. The 'Mwana Pwo' mask is the idealised incarnation of the Tshokwe woman, honouring the female ancestor who founded the lineage. To sculpt our example, the master sculptor was inspired by a woman from the community whose beauty was recognised and admired by all. Through his mastery of gesture and the rigour of his composition, he has magnified this delicately modelled female face, with its fine features and gentle, serene expression. All the virtues of feminine beauty for the Tshokwé are present: The cruciform frontal motif, the stylised Masoji tears symbolising a painful moment, the straight, fine nose, the pierced ears and the well-defined mouth. Height 21 cm.