Tribal Punu Mask

DESCRIPTION Punu masks are believed to embody the spirits of deceased ancestors of the Punu People and serve as a means of communicating with the spirit world. The Punu people live along the upper Ngoumie River in Gabon. Punu masks are characterized by their serene and delicate features, including high-domed foreheads, almond-shaped eyes, rigid high coiffures reflecting the Punu women's hair styles, and finely sculpted protuding noses and lips.  The face is powdered with kaolin "itengi" a specific type of white clay found in Gabon. These features are idealized and are often seen as representing the beauty and harmony valued in Punu culture. This mask is adorned with cowrie shells around the face and also comes with a wall fitting at the back for easy wall mounting.  Like many traditional African masks, Punu masks are an expression of cultural identity and heritage. They carry the stories, beliefs, and traditions of the Punu people and serve as important cultural symbols passed down thr