Ancestor's Spirit

A faithful replica of the renowned 'White Masks of the Ogooue,' this mask personifies an ancestral spirit of the Kota and Mukudji people from Gabon. Known as 'Punu,' the ancestral spirit is believed to guide one to the hereafter; Punu masks are reserved for important village festivities. Salihu Ibrahim hand-carves the mask of sese wood featuring half-opened eyes and slightly raised pursed lips. The forehead is embellished with a distinct diamond-shaped motif; it is crowned with a stylized hairdo. Once the mask is carved and the wood has dried thoroughly, it is treated with clay to appear like an antique piece.