African Arts Gallery

Ex-Swiss African art collection.

This face with half-closed eyes is divided into two contrasting tones, with a wraparound shell that extends into chinstrap mats. Matte patina, kaolin residue.

The Galoa (or Galwa), sub-group Pounou , live downstream of Lambaréné on the Ogooué river, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. They are named "people of the lake". They have also produced masks named Okouyi,Okukwé, used by initiatory societies to unveil witchcraft and their authors through divination. Several neighboring ethnic groups, including the Adouma and the Kota, use in Gabon flattened masks of contrasting colors, including kaolin which is believed to have apotropaic virtues. Groups in Gabon practice the cult of bwiti, the cult of ancestors, and their relics are ...

Ex-Swiss African art collection.

Statuette of insider wearing the mask okuyi , okukwe . This mask appeared during the day, at the time of major social events: initiations of young people, funerals of dignitaries, birth or death of twins or their parents. It also intervened during disputes. Matt patina, drying crack.
The Galoa (or Galwa), sub-group Pounou , live downstream of Lambaréné on the Ogooué river, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. They are named "people of the lake". They have also produced masks named Okouyi, Okukwé, used by initiatory societies to reveal witchcraft and their authors through divination. Several neighboring ethnic groups, including the Adouma and the Kota, but also the Myéné, use in Gabon flattened masks of contrasting colors, including kaolin, ...

Gabon and African art.

Divated into opposite zones of contrasting colors, this deep ovoid mask has features from which emanates a certain serenity. It is a judicial mask of the Okukwé society, worn for funerals, the birth of twins, or other major events. Patina matte abrased. Cracks and erosions.
The Galoa (or Galwa), a subgroup Pounou , live downstream from Lambaréné on the Ogooué River, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. They are named 'the people of the lake'. They produced masks named Okouyi, Okukwé, used by initiation societies to reveal witchcraft and their authors through divination. Several neighbouring ethnic groups, including the Adouma and Kota, use contrasting colour flats in Gabon, including kaolin that is supposed to have apotropaic virtues. Groups in Gabon ...

African art Galoa.
This shallow African mask has a smooth, velvety surface on which polychrome triangular patterns and kaolin points have been applied. The brow bone, whose rib is outlined in white, overcomes folded eyelids recalling the masks Bakwele and Vuvi. A narrow mouth forms a very slight bulge. This type of mask is used by Okukwé initiates from the Lower Ogoué Lake District to unveil wizards. It is after a divination rite that the mask will proceed to the appointment of the culprit. They were also exhibited at the funeral of chiefs or exceptional events such as the birth of twins. The Galoa (or Galwa), neighboring tribe of Punu, Pounou, live downstream of Lambaréné on the Ogooué River.