A lipico or lipiko (plural : mapico or mapiko) is a mask or helmet of the Makonde of Mozambique.

Lipico mask from Mozambique

Uses

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Mapico masks are worn for ceremonial dances during the rites of passage of circumcised boys called mapico dances.[1][2] These masks are carved by master craftsmen,[3] they are made of soft wood and often feature human hair. They represent faces of men or women with labrets or scarifications.[4]

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References

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  1. ^ Le Musée des arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie, 1999, p.89
  2. ^ Kristian Fenzl, Peter Baum, Makonde: "mapiko", Neue Galerie der Stadt Linz, Wolfgang-Gurlitt-Museum, 1997, p. 178
  3. ^ Arts d'Afrique noire, 1990, p.42
  4. ^ Revue du Louvre: la revue des musées de France, 1998, p.106