Katoyo, African colon mask, Chokwe ( Angola/DR Congo) 1960-70

Katoyo Colon Mask – Chokwe Satire on European (Angola / DR Congo)

This striking Katoyo mask originates from the Chokwe people of Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It caricaturally depicts a white European, recognizable by a long angular face, sharp aquiline nose, rectangular eye holes, open mouth with pronounced chin, and often even attached teeth or moustache—typical European features incorporated into the mask tradition to mock and ridicule colonial figures. The hood is made of cloth, rubbed with tukula powder. A cowrie shell and a button are attached to it. On the sides hang two long strands with stone beads made of a light-colored stone type.

The Chokwe community used the Katoyo mask in initiation rituals (Mukanda) and public performances, in which the performer imitated European visitors and humorously critiqued colonial influence and power structures. The Chokwe also employed this mask as a visual language serving humor, social criticism, and ritual grounding in response to colonization.

Main features:

Length: 26 cm
Weight: 348 grams
Dating: 1960–70
Origin: Chokwe, Angola / DR Congo
Provenance: Acquired from a Walloon private collection
Excluding stand