Where is kwele mask from?
Where is kwele mask from?
Gabon
The Kwele masks originate from the rain forests of Gabon on the western coast of Africa and are hand carved by the Bwete association.
What tribe is the kwele mask from?
Kwele People. “The Kwele tribe live on the northern frontier of the Republic of Congo, and have produced a famous type of mask called Ekuk. It displays a flat surface and often has a whitened heart-shaped face, a triangular nose and coffee bean eyes.
Where do the PUNU people live?
The Punu, groups who live in the south of Gabon, are famous for their typically white masks, known as Okuyi masks with their Asiatic slit eyes (which have nothing to do with Japanese masks).
What material is the kwele mask made of?
kaolin clay
Kwele masks have two large horns which sometimes encircle and frame the face. Areas of the face are often painted with white kaolin clay, the color of the spirits. Kwele ‘ekuk’ masks are beautifully stylised with a heart shaped face, almond shaped eyes and a small or non-existent mouth.
Who wore the kwele mask?
Kwele mask. The Kwele masks of Gabon are used during initiation ceremonies and or at the end of a mourning period. The masks represent the spirits of the forest. The face of the masks are normally painted with white kaolin, the white represents the spirit world (peace and tranquility).
What languages do they speak in Gabon?
FrenchGabon / Official languageFrench is a Romance language of the Indo-European family. It descended from the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire, as did all Romance languages. French evolved from Gallo-Romance, the Latin spoken in Gaul, and more specifically in Northern Gaul. Wikipedia
What is the Senufo mask used for?
It is a carved wooden helmet mask, which means it is worn over the whole head, and is used in the funerals of the Senufo people. Members of the Poro society, a “secret men’s society,” wear it during the funeral ceremonies of their deceased members to honor them as well as well as ward off evil spirits.
Who are the Kwele people?
The Kwele people are a tribal group of eastern Gabon, Republic of the Congo, and Cameroons in West Africa. They fled the coastal area of West Africa during the 19th century, after their traditional enemies acquired firearms from the slave traders.
Where did The Kwele settle in Africa?
The Kwele then settled into lands between the Dja and Ivindo rivers. The Kwele are noted for their ceremonial masks which are collected as art objects. The masks are associated with the Beete association, which maintains social order, and are also used in initiation rites and at the end of mourning periods.
What is the significance of the Kwele masks?
Thought to represent benevolent forest spirits, the masks represent people or animals, or a combination of the two. Many lack eye slits; the masks are shown rather than worn, and many are painted with white kaolin earth, which the Kwele associate with light and clarity.
What is the difference between Ekuk and Kwele?
Many lack eye slits; the masks are shown rather than worn, and many are painted with white kaolin earth, which the Kwele associate with light and clarity. In the beete ritual which they perform, there is a gorilla masked person (Gabon) as the opposition to the Ekuk mask.
