Face mask "mvudi" ·  Gabon, Adouma/Galoa · ID: 3034278

Description

wood, effective change of red, white and blackish brown paint, projecting forehead with accentuated brows, the deepened facial plane divided by a “snub nose” with flattened nose bridge, inserted metal tags, slightly dam. (nose), abrasion;
because of the accentuated brows and the projecting nose Perrois presumes a combination of human and animalic (gorilla ?) features, which he personifies as a kind of scaring figure, which is called “bikegehe” oder “bikereu”. In former times it was part of the equipment of the initiation society and should have evoked respect, if not fear. Nowadays the masks appear at celebrations which lost their religious meaning.

Comparing literature

David, Jean & Jane, Gabon, Zürich 2005, p. 120 Kerchache, Jacques, Paudrat, Jean-Louis u.a., Die Kunst des Schwarzen Afrika, Freiburg, Basel, Wien 1988, p. 315