{"product_id":"yaka-kholuka-initiation-mask-with-puppet-figure-museum-exhibited-published-northern-yaka-drc-early-20th-century","title":"Yaka Kholuka Initiation Mask with Puppet Figure – Museum Exhibited \u0026 Published – Northern Yaka, DRC – Early 20th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rare and distinguished early 20th century Yaka \u003cem\u003ekholuka\u003c\/em\u003e initiation mask from the Northern Yaka people of the Democratic Republic of Congo — museum exhibited at Oberlin College and published in the accompanying catalogue from the Ralph T. Coe Collection of African Art. Works with this level of institutional provenance and publication history represent the highest tier of the African art market.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCarved from wood and richly adorned with raffia, cloth, and pigment, this mask — known among the Yaka as \u003cem\u003en-khanda\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003em-khanda\u003c\/em\u003e — is a key emblem of the Makunda male initiation society, used during the final and most celebrated stages of boys’ transition into manhood.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eForm \u0026amp; Iconography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe wooden face displays archetypal Yaka features: heavy-lidded eyes set within circular ridges, a pronounced downturned nose, and pursed lips, all framed by a dense raffia ruff. Beneath the raffia is a concealed stabilizing rod that allowed the dancer to steady the mask during energetic performance. Rising above the face is a multi-tiered wickerwork coiffure painted in alternating red and black bands — a visual marker of the elevated social rank of the mask’s owner.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAtop the conical superstructure is a puppet-like figure made of cloth and fiber, depicted in an explicit pose of a man administering himself an enema. Such figures — whether erotic, satirical, or narrative — reference themes of sexuality, fertility, and social commentary. They often parody outsiders, deviant behavior, or foreign customs, reinforcing Yaka identity and values during initiation festivities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eRitual Function\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003ekholuka\u003c\/em\u003e mask is not worn by initiates, but by a senior \u003cem\u003en-khanda\u003c\/em\u003e official — typically the leader of the initiation or a high-ranking member of the men’s society. As the most popular mask in the male initiation masquerade, it is danced last, often by a charismatic performer whose exaggerated gestures and bawdy humor deliberately transgress social taboos. Beyond entertainment, the \u003cem\u003ekholuka\u003c\/em\u003e functions as a powerful ritual object, incorporating substances such as ashes from a destroyed initiation mask to ensure spiritual continuity across generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eArtwork Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCulture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northern Yaka\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early 20th century\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carved wood, raffia, cloth, pigment\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14 in W × 35 in H (35.6 × 88.9 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eExhibition History\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSelections from the Ralph T. Coe Collection of African Art\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAllen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, USA\u003cbr\u003eOctober 3 – December 15, 2002\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePublication\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSelections from the Ralph T. Coe Collection of African Art\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAllen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College exhibition catalogue\u003cbr\u003ePage 29, illustration #16, and back cover\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRalph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired 2010 via descent • Ex-private collection of Ralph T. Coe, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired November 1993 • Ex-Africa Escapes, London, England, UK\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFragile, with shedding to raffia and loose pigments, as well as a tear to the cloth on the first tier. Some scratches and fraying present. Rich patina throughout. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"African","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53224569700719,"sku":null,"price":1800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/6967\/5375\/files\/s-l1600-84_d5b96658-8939-4a46-bbe3-2a45dbdfc829.jpg?v=1784422989","url":"https:\/\/www.lybrothersfineart.com\/products\/yaka-kholuka-initiation-mask-with-puppet-figure-museum-exhibited-published-northern-yaka-drc-early-20th-century","provider":"L\/Y Brothers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}