Powerful Nyau Society Mask

This powerful and expressive mask was field collected by the late Don Brody, an American citizen who lived for several years in Malawi. He would later retire to Indiana and Washington State. While in Malawi, Brody collected masses of archival material from Dr. Hastings Banda, Malawi’s then “president for life.” Brody was identified by Dr. Banda as his official biographer, while Brody described the autocrat as his “dear friend.” Serving as an Honorary General Consul of Malawi, Brody often traveled with the leader to important events. He would eventually donate Dr. Banda’s papers and a cache of related material to Indiana University. The source of Brody’s funding and introduction to Dr. Banda are the subject of speculation, but one thing is certain: Don Brody was an acquisitive individual with many interests beyond Southern African politics. During his time in Malawi, Brody assembled perhaps the largest collection of Chewa Nyau Society masks and paraphernalia ever put together. His masks alone numbered in the hundreds, running from masterful to the relatively crude. Brody’s collection was ultimately broken up and sold. This fine mask was acquired by the late Lucien Guenniguez, a Seattle-area African art dealer.

12.5″

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