Anthropomorphic face mask "okuyi" · Gabon, Tsogho · ID: 3044725
not available anymore
Size
H: 31 cm
H: 12.2 inch
Description
wood, kaolin, base
“The “okuyi” or “mukudji” masks are the wooden image of a beautiful deceased girl. The white faces suggesting death masks, not only by their colour, but by their nearly closed eyes with narrow slits as well.
The mask especially performed during mourning rites. The masker was entirely hidden under his costume of fibre and cloth with the cane fly-swat “mwandzu” in his hand. The dancers appeared on high stilts and spoke with ghostly voices, generated by a secret instrument consisting of a small gourd.