Ancestor spirit mask "moghondzi" ·  Gabon, Vuvi · ID: 3048867

Description

wood, kaolin, polychrome pigment, plant fibre, base

These masks embody deceased ancestors. They are the property of the “bwete” initiation society.

After six months of apprenticeship in seclusion, the young “adults” return to the village. Dancers wearing “moghondzi” masks emerge from the dark forest at night to welcome the newly initiated. It is said that they come from the land of the dead, the land of “kombe”, the guardian of the realm of the dead.

After their use, the masks are kept with other ritual objects in huts set up for the purpose.

The object Ancestor spirit mask “moghondzi” with the object ID 3048867 was last part of the auction 98th Auction at March 26, 2022 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 244.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, cat. 74