After their exodus from Uganda in the 17th century, the Lega tribespeople settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also known as the Warega, the 200,000 people who comprise the Lega tribe live in autonomous villages. The position of chief, referred to as the Kindi, is held by the oldest member of the clan who must also hold the highest grade within the Bwami society. The function of the Bwami, which is open to both men and women, is to regulate the social and political life of the Lega. Progression through the seven male and four female grades is made possible by the giving of presents and by the participation in initiations. The mask here is typical of the two major types of Lega mask, in that it has a heart-shpaed face wtih globular coffee-bean eyes, a linear nose, and a diminutive mouth with a slightly pointed chin. This type of mask is used in initiation ceremonies. (Mask height excluding beard is 20") -Bacquart