Chihongo represents a male spirit and refers to wealth and power. This mask would have only have been worn by a high-ranking member of society or his sons during festivities, especially during the proceedings of the mukanda, or male initiation Rites.

Cihongo Male ceremonial mask
wood, fabric, cord
Chokwe people
early 20th century
Angola, Africa.

#chokwe #cihongo #maleinitiation #handmade #tribalart #tribalmask #africanart #ethnographic #ritual #mask #africanmask

A GATHERING OF MEN, WITH ROBERT BLY • Linked here is #AGatheringOfMen video, an interview by #BillMoyers of #PoetLaureate Robert Bly. It’s an informative video about men for women as well. Bly’s insights into #maleinitiation, and why it’s generally lacking around the world today, is powerful. #TheDen: “Long before the patriarchal alt-right, Studio 21, The Art of Manliness, and even Promise Keepers, there was Robert Bly, who began sounding the alarm regarding the plight of men. His book, Iron John is probably his most notable work, but he also has held many men's conferences. #manvotions #robertbly #men” Robert Bly is also well known for being a professor of Poetry, and his readings of ecstatic 🤩 Sufi poets like #Kabir and #Rumi are excellent and highly rewarding. #EcstaticPoetry • Hal Newnan https://youtu.be/TP3HWLIL1Aw via @YouTube

A GATHERING OF MEN, WITH ROBERT BLY • #AGatheringOfMen, an interview by #BillMoyers of #RobertBly, an informative video about men for women as well. Bly’s insights into #MaleInitiation, and why it’s generally lacking around the world today, is powerful.
• Hal Newnan youtu.be/TP3HWLIL1Aw