Ngil Mask - Fang - Gabon
Mask of Ngil society in the African art of Fang
Among the Fang in Africa, as in any structured society, it was necessary to regulate through masks. In the Ngil society, the great initiate (Ngang) helped by his officiants, roamed the villages concealed under a mask such as this one, lying down and covered with a thick layer of kaolin.
The mask wearers, hidden in their raffia costumes, appeared in the village at nightfall, flashing torches in their hands. Their goal was to track down troublemakers to start with the suspicious death officers. Their action was aimed mainly at those supposed to have made use of witchcraft. Once the culprit was identified, he could be punished with death. Long style and end of the southern territory.
Origin : gathered in situDating : 1980'sSize : 48 x 21 cmMaterial : wood
00329
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Circa 1980
- Size
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Gathered in situ
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Mask of Ngil society in the African art of Fang
Among the Fang in Africa, as in any structured society, it was necessary to regulate through masks. In the Ngil society, the great initiate (Ngang) helped by his officiants, roamed the villages concealed under a mask such as this one, lying down and covered with a thick layer of kaolin.
The mask wearers, hidden in their raffia costumes, appeared in the village at nightfall, flashing torches in their hands. Their goal was to track down troublemakers to start with the suspicious death officers. Their action was aimed mainly at those supposed to have made use of witchcraft. Once the culprit was identified, he could be punished with death. Long style and end of the southern territory.
Origin : gathered in situDating : 1980'sSize : 48 x 21 cmMaterial : wood