This mask is from Chokwe tribe in Angola. The Chokwe men use this mask in dance during the mukanda initiation ceremonies for young boys. It represents a beautiful woman – a female ancestor who is spiritually present during the initiation ritual and ceremonies in the form of the mask. Her beauty is idealized through the scarification patterns on the face and her stylized headdress. This mask represents an older more mature woman whose beauty reflects her accomplishments and abilities. This is demonstrated by the more elaborate details of facial scarification and sharply filed teeth. The treatment of her hairstyle is known simply as Pwo. The Pwo dancers dance elegantly and gracefully exemplifying good behavior and manners. Pwo dancers wear tight fitting net costumes with cotton wrappers and fake breast. The Chokwe of Angola have a great tradition of carving masks and figures – creating art of dynamic and inventive forms – expressing their mythic tales and philosophical precepts.