The Bembe, Buyu, and Lega share traditions as hunters, as well as socio-religious associations such as the Bwami grade society. Initiations in the male Alunga association were marked by the appearance of a masquerader in a spherical helmet mask of abstract conception. Carved from a single block of wood, the Janus faces are defined by huge concave pairs of whitened oval eyes with black, starlike pupils. Decorated with plumes, feathers, and raffia, these evoke the powerful spirit of the forest and are kept apart from the village women and children.

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