Product Description

The Punu Tribe are from the left bank of the Ngoume River in Gabon.  The men of the tribe are the only ones to carve these masks to show their appreciation for the natural beauty of the woman in their tribe.

The elaborate high hairstyles of the masks depict wealth to show that the woman have not had to carry heavy loads on their heads that would flatten their natural hair.  Some Punu masks have painted white faces which are used to represent the ancestors during funeral ceremonies.  

It is said that the double faced mask is symbolic of bringing two spirits together.

Small cracks, discoloration, etc are a normal part of the ageing process and add to the character of each item.