Small Soó mask from the Hemba, DR Congo

Small Soó mask from the Hemba, DR Congo

Height: approx. 13.5 cm
Width: 10 cm
Weight including stand: 166 grams
Origin: DR Congo
Date: Mid 20th century
Provenance: ex collection Guy Kuipers

The so'o mask, or sokomutu in Swahili (and sometimes referred to as mwisi gwa so'o, sukumuntu, or i bombo ya soho in some sources), belongs to the Hemba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So'o means "chimpanzee human", and is meant to personify death. The Hemba consider the chimpanzee a predator and a symbol of aggression. Some say that the so'o desires human women and opposable thumbs of men, and if the opportunity arises, he will seize it. The mask, which wears an aggressive wide grin, represents a terrifying, unnatural creature. Sometimes the mask may embody a deceased ancestor and bear his name. In either case, deso'o is fickle in his temper and it can be both helpful and hurtful to the living.

When used in a funerary context, the so'o mask represents death. In funerals, the mask appears at the end of the series of funeral rites to signify the end of the mourning period. The mask is used in a performance that helps people return from a state of grief to their daily routines.

In Hemba funeral feasts, such as the ubuzha malslo, the so'o is used in two stages. The "wild" phase is the first phase, which includes a chase. The so'o enthusiastically chase everyone away to frighten them, especially young children and pregnant women, away from the village. Anyone running outside is considered safe; if one comes across a house and is followed by the so'o, he must be initiated into the secret society of so'o. For this reason, older people, especially older men, rarely run. During the second phase, the so'o is performed, accompanied by a drum and songs. This means the return of spatial planning; nobody runs anymore. In his performance, deso'o acts as a clown or trickster, who playfully mocks the normal order of society.

While the so'o represents death, it is also linked to fertility. Ruined crops can be interpreted as a sign of initiation into So'o society.

source: IMO DARA