A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE MUSEUM - PART 1

As you know, some time ago we visited Libreville's only museum, the museum of arts and traditions, which has just re-opened. Today, using my illegal photos which I stubbornly refused to erase, I would like to take you on a tour around the exhibition of Gabonese masks.

Ezengi or Jengi, the Spirit of the Forest (from Woleu-Ntem)

It is made of branches and covered in dry raffia. This abstract mask represents good luck. It has a propitiatory function and is used in such circumstances as the ritual before elephant hunt or the ritual of blessing before going hunting.





Mungala or Mongondo, the Alert (from Ogooué-Ivindo)

The mask is shaped as a turtle or sky. It is made of branches, covered with raffia fabric and genet skin; it is painted in red and black. This mask is used in the male initiation ritual, in the circumsicion ritual or after twins' birth. Moreover, it has the function of warning women and children of social danger in which improper conduct might result.




Bodi or Pove (from Ogooué-Lolo)

The mask is made of branches, dry raffia, fabric and eagle feathers. It is an initiation mask, used for funeral ceremonies or at the end of mourning. It protects the little ones and so women offer their children to Bodi, in order to ensure they have enough energy and livelihood.





Emboli, the Burden (from Ogooué-Ivindo)

It is half-human half-animal, made of wood and raffia, and painted in red, white and black. It protects the village against evil spirits and is used when twins are born or die and during circumcision rituals.





Mbudi, Mvudi or Mukuyi, the Ghost (from Ogooué-Lolo)

This anthropomorphic mask is made of wood, animal skin and raffia fabric. It represents the spirit of an ancestor who comes back to the world of the living. Mbudi comes out from Likogha, the sacred part of the forest, when twins are born or die, when there is a trial (to dispense justice) and during the blessing of the village.




Okuyi or Okukwe, the Big Boss (from Moyen Ogooué)

It is made of painted wood, raffia, genet skin and badamier branches. It is an anthropomorphic mask used in the rite of passage from boyhood to manhood. Also, it may be seen during the funeral of an important person, rituals related to birth or death of twins and problems of justice.


All the information is a direct translation from the museum's information panels. If you can spot any mistakes, please let me know!