Songye Kwifibe

This replica mask of powerful beauty is known as kwifibe by the Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Distinguished by its black and white stripes, the mask is believed to embody supernatural forces that will ward off evil. To the Songye, the use of white on the mask symbolizes positive concepts such as purity and peace, the moon and light. Ghana's Christopher Nyasafo carves the wall mask by hand featuring a bird looking downward.