Fang (Fan, Mpangwe, Pahuin, Pamue, Pangwe), Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon

Ngil ceremonial mask. The Fang number 800,000 and constitute a vast mosaic of village communities, established in a large zone of Atlantic equatorial Africa comprising Cameroon, continental Equatorial Guinea and nearly the whole north of Gabon. Historically the Fang were itinerant, and it is relatively recently that they have settled into this broad area. The ngil masks are tied to the association of ngil, which played judiciary and political roles among the Fang, assuring peace and hunting witches. These masks had the task of punishing those guilty of vices and criminals. The characteristics of the face do not express a composed serenity, but the deformation of anatomic characteristics reveals its superhuman character. This character is also reasserted by the use of white; for the Fang it is the color of death and of spirits. The accentuated vertical development of the mask is underlined by the long line of the nose. The calm expression of the ngil masks stands in striking contrast to the extremely frightening, threatening character of the masked performers who only performed at night in the light of torches. These masks were a part of paraphernalia of a hierarchically-structured male society which used them at initiation ceremonies and to pursue and punish sorcerers and offenders.

Material: wood

Size: 19”x 8½”x 4½”

Price: $200+$25 (S&H)            Sold  --  D. D.                  [#N0F6M709]