Female face mask "okuyi" ·  Gabon, Punu · ID: 3043631

Description

wood, red and dark brown patina, white earth “pemba”, the bowl-shaped base (where the actual mask face is superimposed to) provided with see holes and triangular recess for the nose, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, base.
The “okuyi” or “mukudji” masks are the wooden image of a beautiful deceased girl. They mainly 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.

Publications

AHDRC: 0150593