Chokwe Collection
This collection is gathered from my many years spent researching about the Mukanda ritualistic history and art of the Chokwe tribe.For more information about the rituals, history and culture of the Chowke, please refer to my publication: Chowke Art and Its History.
Chokwe Chiponde Mask
Chokwe Mwan-pwo Mask
Chokwe Bwanda Mask
Chokwe Kapu-kulu
Kapu-kulu mask from mid-20th Century. Used in royal Mukanda circumcision rituals in Central Africa.
Chokwe Chihengi
Warthog mask from mid-20th Century. Used in Mukanda circumcision rituals in Central Africa.
Chokwe Kalelwa
Ancestral spirit mask from mid-20th Century. Protector of the Mukanda and symbol of continuity and growth.
Animal Kingdom
Animals and especially birds have a great deal of symbolism attached to them. While the general name for all birds is Kajila, below are some bird names and associated Chowke language:
OWL: KAKULU MPANDA | MARIBOU STORK: LIBONDO | EAGLE: NKWAZI | CANARY: KALIMBA | ROOSTER: NDEMBA KASUMBI | DUCK: KAWELELE | ELEPHANT: NJAMBA | BULL: PAKASA | MONKEY: SOKO | SCORPION: KAVWANDA | GIRAFFE: NTENGU | LION: NDUMBA | LEOPARD: INGWE | RHINO: KEVU KEVU | GOAT: MPEMPI | ANTEATER: NDOMBOLO | WILD PIG: CHOMBO | DOMESTIC PIG: NGULU | WARTHOG: CHIHENGI | FROG: CHULA-CHAMBOTA | HIPPO: NGUVU | SNAIL: KOLE-KOLE | MOLE: KALOLO | ZEBRA: NGOLO | RABBIT: MBWANDA | GUINEA FOWL: CANGA | CRESTED STORK: PEKWOKENU | NIGHTJAR: CHIKUNGULU
