Kwele Mask
Kwele people, Gabon / Congo-Brazzaville — Bwete initiation mask
Rarely worn, this heart-shaped "ekuk" mask hung in the home and was only brought out to "warm" the village atmosphere and call on beneficial forces during Bwete society initiation ceremonies. It represents a peaceful spirit encountered during the hunt, as opposed to the gorilla-form "gon" mask, which signals danger. The Kwele are a small forest-dwelling group in inland Gabon, east of the Fang and Kota.
Origin: Kwele people, Gabon / Congo-Brazzaville · Material: hand-carved wood · Size: 40 × 20cm
£85.00