Punu, Gabon: a rare, black Punu mask

Punu, Gabon: a rare, black Punu mask
The Punu live in the southern region of Gabon and are known and renowned for their white ‘Okuyi masks’ (or ‘Mukudji masks’). These white coloured masks represent a ‘beautiful girl’, who comes from the afterlife on a benevolent visit to the living.
Much rarer, however, are the black Punu masks, called ‘Ikwara’ masks or also ‘Ikwara mokulu’ (‘night masks’). These only appear at dusk or during the night. They are worn at gatherings, at rituals for the administration of justice or if the Punu society is threatened by ill-fortune, illness, witchcraft, epidemics, or criminality. ‘Ikwara masks’ should offer protection and divert evil.
Traditionally, Punu masks represent idealized female ancestors' faces. The classic Punu mask styling includes an eleborate hairdo (popular among the Punu women), realistic, usually white faces with full lips, high-domed foreheads, high eyebrows, and diamond-shape scarification marks on the foreheads and temples. The elaborate Punu hairstyles suggest that the wearer is wealthy as her hair has not been flattened by the need to carry goods.

Measures: L 12in x W 7in
Estate item sold as is , non returnable