Miniature mask

Minyaki, or ikhoko (carved things) are ivory miniatures which were worn on a necklet to armlet by men who had undergone the initiation rites of the Mbuya secret society. To some extent, they were protective amulets, but their main purpose was to remind the initiate of his symbolic death and rebirth into adult society and the lessons and obligations that he learned during his period of seclusion in the bush. They were generally worn on a string of red or blue glass beads.

This mask is almost featureless from much wear, and is stained a deep coffee brown from camwood and oil on the wearer’s skin. The three-pointed head-dress represents a chief’s cap. It has been broken down the middle and repaired.

Margret Carey, 1997

Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, Vol. 2: Pacific, African and Native North American Art, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997) p. 191.