The Galoa live in western Gabon in the territory of the city of Lambarene (Albert Schweitzer hospital).
These ‘okukwe masks’ perform during large Galoa rite of passage ceremonies, such as births, initiation rituals, weddings or funerals. They disperse ‘evil powers and spirits’. The central, vertical arrangement of black or dark brown coloured, clearly divided triangles on the kaolin white mask face are typical of this style of ‘okukwe mask’. These large, round masks mostly feature a wreath and beard made from brown plant fibres.
The present, old Galoa ‘okukwe mask’ corresponds exactly to the traditional form: large, round, with clear, dark brown dyed triangles on the forehead and around the mouth. The protruding, thin eyebrows, the inconspicuous, straight nose and the large, almond-shaped, slit eyes were once of dark brown colour. From the original plant-fibre crown around the whole mask face two small tufts remain on the crown and some fastening nails have been preserved along the rim of the mask. This is a piece with some age-related, but not substantial, damage: surface colour abrasion, minimal erosion on the surface, chipped edges and some small pieces broken off on the back rim. On the inside of the back however are noticeable traces (shiny areas) of protracted use. It is overall a ‘classical’, old Galoa ‘okukwe mask’. Height: c. 30 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
According to information from the consignor, purchased in the early 1970s ‘in situ’ in a village in Gabon.

Lit.:
'Ancestral Art of Gabun' by Louis Perrois, ill. 40; 'Les souffle des esprits. Art sacré du bassin de L'Ogooué' by P. Redouin, ill. p. 110. 'Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture' by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 243.