These kwele masks from Gabon offer a heart-shaped face, almond-shaped eyes and a triangular nose. Generally hidden, the mouth fits here in a thin incision accentuating the softness of the mask. Depending on the presence of horns and their arrangement, the masks are called pipibudzé, Ekuku zokou, etc...and are associated with ancestors or spirits of the forest, "ekuk". Abraded matte patina, pink ocher highlights, chips. Tribe of the Kota group, the Kwélé , Bakwélé , live in the forest on the northern border of the Republic of Congo. They live from hunting, agriculture and metallurgy. Practicing the cult called Bwété borrowed from the Ngwyes, which was accompanied by obligatory initiation rites, they used at the end of the ceremonies the masks ekuk evoking the antelope whose horns meet loop under the chin. The blood of the antelope was also used among the Kwélé for therapeutic purposes. They produce rare statues linked to the initiation rites of young people.
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