Facial mask ngil Fang Gabon Wood, kaolin, fabric... Lot 33

Facial mask ngil Fang Gabon Wood, kaolin, fabric H.: 57 cm. Slit in the forehead Massive oblong mask with a cordiform face, hollowed out, rounded and slightly concave. The whole object is bleached with kaolin. The eyes are suggested by thin underlined slits. The prominent nose is disproportionately long. The mouth is small and the lips are tight. Simple aesthetics, absence of characteristic decorations and scarifications. Inside the mask, small wooden statuettes are hung on a strip of cloth hung on either side of the mask. This mask is used by the male ngil society during the initiation of its new members and to fight against sorcerers and criminals. It was a rite of social regulation that consisted in frightening those who had evil intentions. Having caused unrest in villages due to the abuse of its followers, the ngil was gradually banned by the colonial administration around 1910-1920 . It was made specifically for colonial trade and had an obvious decorative interest Consultant : Jean-Pierre Lacoste