Lega Tribe African Mask - Vintage

Mid-20th Century African Lega Mask This mask has been appraised and valued from $200-300. I am not certain of the cause of the 3rd hole near the eyes, intentional or otherwise, therefore the cost has been lowered from the appraisal value. The concave side profile, pouting circular open mouth and eyes, and also from the use of white paint marks, are evidence this mask is from the Lega Tribe - Mid-20th Century.  A bit of Lega tribe history: After their exodus from Uganda in the 17th century, the Lega tribes-people eventually settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). Known also as the Warega, the 200,000 people who constitute the Lega tribe live in autonomous villages, collectively situated at the summit of a hill surrounded by a palisade. The position of chief, referred to as the Kindi, is held by the oldest member of the clan who must also hold the highest grade within the Bwami society. The function of the Bwami, which is open to both men and women, is to regulate the social and political life of the Lega. Progression through the seven male and four female grades is made possible by the giving of presents and the participation in initiations. Division of labor is gender-based and akin to the economic patterns of other tribes living in a forest environment: men hunt and clear new land and women cultivate manioc. AngelCinn.com