What are Punu masks made of?

These Punu masks are hand carved out of wood and set in the colors of White and black. The Punu masks oriental look strongly indicates that Chinese people traded and lived in Africa for many years before the European settlers arrived.

Where does the Punu mask come from?

A Punu-Lumbo mask is a tribal mask native to the Ogooué River basin in Gabon, especially in the south in Ngounié Province.

What tribe uses the kwele mask?

Beete Mask: Gorilla (Gon) 19th–20th century The Kwele are among the Bantu-speaking peoples who live in western equatorial Africa’s rain forest. During the precolonial era, inhabitants of the region adhered to a highly diffuse notion of territoriality.

Who created the Teke mask?

Teke-Tsaayi Mask. This disk-shaped facial mask has tribal iconographic and geometrical motifs that are symmetrically arranged and cover the entire face of the mask. This mask was created by the Tsaayi, a group of the Teke sub-tribe; the only group to make and have used wooden masks in their ceremonies.

Are African masks valuable?

Yes! African masks are widely appreciated commercially, artistically and by the public at large.

Which countries still use African masks?

Tribal masks

• Bwa, Mossi and Nuna of Burkina Faso.
• Dan of Liberia and Ivory Coast.
• Dogon and Bamana of Mali.
• Fang (Punu) and Kota of Gabon.
• Yorubo, Nubo, Igbo and Edo of Nigeria.
• Senufo and Grebo, Baule (Guro) and Ligbi (Koulango) of Ivory Coast.
• Temne, Gola and Sande (Sowei) of Sierra Leone.
• Bambara of Mali.

What does the Kwele mask look like?

Kwele masks have two large horns which sometimes encircle and frame the face. Areas of the face are often painted with white kaolin clay, the color of the spirits. Kwele ‘ekuk’ masks are beautifully stylised with a heart shaped face, almond shaped eyes and a small or non-existent mouth.

What language does the Kwele tribe speak?

The Kwele are among the Bantu-speaking peoples who live in western equatorial Africa’s rain forest. During the precolonial era, inhabitants of the region adhered to a highly diffuse notion of territoriality.

How many tribes are there in Gabon?

Gabon – Ethnic groups There are at least 40 distinct tribal groups in Gabon. The Pygmies are said to be the original inhabitants.

What does white mean in a Punu mask?

Punu masks represent idealized female ancestors’ faces. The white color of the mask is genderless; white is a symbol for peace, deities, spirits of the dead, and the afterlife. It is thus the predominating color in funeral celebrations and memorials.

Why did the Punu make masks and statues?

The Punu also carve standing reliquary figures, which watch over the bones of the deceased. Punu artists carved also amulets and everyday objects showing faces similar to those found on masks. It is thought they were used as prestige objects, during magical ceremonies, or were kept alongside the ancestral bones in a reliquary box.

What kind of faces do Punu people have?

The masks have realistic, mostly white but sometimes black faces with protruding pursed lips, globular protruding eyes incised with a curve, high-domed foreheads, and characteristic rigid high coiffures reflecting the Punu women’s hair styles.

What kind of masks do people wear in Central Africa?

Central African masks display a variety of styles, some of which are shared across regions and cultures as a part of continuing trade and political exchanges, such as between the Luba and Songye or the Kete and Mbagani peoples.