During the XVI Century, the "Songye People" were found on the left bank of the river Lualaba, in the region presently called "Democratic Republic of Congo". The Songye Tribe was divided into sub-groups and ruled by a central Chief, called "the yakitenge". His responsibilities forbade him from socializing with the Villagers. Accordingly, he allowed his loyal servants to control and manage the distributions of their lands to their people as land was highly significant in the agrarian Songye society. The tribe created masks of strong characters and personalities which were worn during their secret social ceremonies. The ceremonies reflected different styles and meanings, according to the extent of their land holdings. This particular Songye mask is mostly recognized as "Kifwebe", because of its different linear scarification. Generally the mouth could be seen as rectangular, square, round, oval with the accentuated nose between their eyes. Moreover, the tribes distinguished between masculine and feminine by the styles. They are easily differentiated because on the masculine masks the mask has a high comb on the center while the feminine masks is without a high comb. This Songye masks with a round mouth and high comb represents one of their masculine piece of art. The males of the tribe wore it during their fertility rituals.
