Kifwebe (masks) belonged to the bwadi bwa kifwebe, a Songye male society. Its members had a reputation for having magical powers. They exercised social and political control over the population in order to keep the political elite in power, but also to counter possible abuses of power by chiefs. Masks used to participate in many important manifestations, such as the enthronement and the funeral of the chief, the funeral of members of the society, or the initiation of young men.

Male specimens, such as this one here, are polychrome and have a crest running from front to back. Their female counterparts are almost entirely painted white.