Funerary Post (Kigango)

Giriama people, Mijikenda group, Kenya, African

20th century

  • Titles Funerary Post (Kigango) (Descriptive)
  • Medium wood
  • Dimensions 72 1/4 × 4 1/2 × 2 in. (183.5 × 11.4 × 5.1 cm)
  • Credit Line Gift of Kelly Lange, 1987.200.2
  • Work Type funerary post
  • Classification Sculpture

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Tall vertical plank surmounts circular "face." Patterns on plank are carved and painted with red, black, and white pigment. Patterns on front include two large "X" designs, one atop the other. Top of plank is sculpted into upturned crescent moon shape. Back of plank has checkerboard pattern. Hood "beak" shape extends from front of circular face, pointing downward toward circular "mouth" opening. Deep oval shape extends from back side of face to cover masquerader's face. Holes around edge of oval for rope to secure mask to back of masquerader's head.
Mbulu Ngulu
DEA, face
Staff in form of figure of a woman.