Mask "okuyi"

Description

wood, the facial plane whitened with kaolin, black paint, bulbous coiffure, hole on top, dam., missing part, slight traces of abrasion, on base;
this mask is a variation of the so-called “White Masks of the Ogowe”. “Okuyi”-masks originally were used at funeral ceremonies, at which they represented male and female ancestors. The dancers used to wear raffia costumes, while moving on high stilts and frightening the audience with wild screams. Nowadays this mask type mostly appears for entertainment of the audience within the scope of festivities.