Such ‘Okukwe masks’ are used amongst the Galoa, in western Gabon (near the town of Lambarene) during rites of passage (such as birth, initiation, marriage, and death). They should scare away evil powers. Typical for the style of the Galoa masks are the sharply delineated, black coloured triangles in the otherwise white-coloured face (by means of kaolin). As is seen on the present 'Okukwe-mask': it displays its Galoa triangles on the forehead and around the mouth area. Also the eyebrows over the narrow eyes, the delicate nose and the entire border of the mask are dyed black. The white areas are trimmed with bordering lines of small holes. On the crown of his head this ‘Okukwe’ mask wears an attached, tall and round hat out of feathers in a variety of brown tones. The pointed, black chin below the small mouth is pierced. A beard out of plant fibres was once attached to these holes. The outer, rear border of the mask is like a board, flatly carved and rounded. The opening at the back for the face of the mask dancer is rectangular. The piece displays a partly shiny, partly encrusted patina on its frontal, black surfaces, and also on the rear side there are noticeable traces of old, shiny usage (on the lower surfaces, on the edges, and on both sides of the rectangular recess). Only one minor age-related damage: a small hole in the left cheek of the ‘Okukwe mask’. Otherwise no damage. H: 41 cm (mask with feathers); W: 16 cm (the mask alone). First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: According to the information of the consignor, acquired by him in 1971 ‘in situ’ in a village in Gabon; now: Austrian Private Collection.

Lit.: 'Ancestral Art of Gabon' by Louis Perrois, ill. 40.