REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
YEAR PRINTED: 1966
VALUE: 30 francs
This stamp is one of a set of five issued by the Gabonese Republic celebrating traditional masks and sculptures of the peoples of Gabon. The mask depicted on this stamp is an okuyi mask of the Myene-speaking people, used infant rites of passage and funerals.
REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
YEAR PRINTED: 1966
VALUE: 25 francs
This stamp is one of a set of five issued by the Gabonese Republic celebrating traditional masks and sculptures of the peoples of Gabon. The mask depicted on this stamp is a Ngil Society mask of the Fang people.
REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
YEAR PRINTED: 1966
VALUE: 5 francs
This stamp is one of a set of five issued by the Gabonese Republic celebrating traditional masks of the peoples of Gabon. The mask depicted on this stamp is a female ancestor spirit mask (itengi) of the Balumbu people of the Shira group. This group originated in the Republic of Congo but at some point migrated to Gabon.
TITLE: Kwele Helmet Mask
TYPE: helmet mask
GENERAL REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
ETHNICITY: Kwele
DESCRIPTION: Ekuk Helmet Mask
CATALOG ID: AFGA008
MAKER: Unknown
CEREMONY: Be’ete Society
AGE: ca. 1970s
MAIN MATERIAL: wood
OTHER MATERIALS: kaolin clay; pigment; raffia fiber
The Kwele, also known as Kwese, people of Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo now live between the Dja and Ivindo rivers. Social control is exercised by the Be’ete Secret Society, which uses masks to adult initiation rituals, funerals, and protection of the village from malicious spirits. The masks embody protective bush spirits, with the antelope a dominant presence among them. Kaolin clay is nearly always used in Kwele masks, because its white color has spiritual meaning to the Kwele.
This specific mask represents an ekuk, or forest spirit, of a lion.
REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
YEAR PRINTED: 1992
VALUE: 300 francs
This stamp is one of a set of four issued by the Gabonese Republic celebrating traditional masks of the peoples of Gabon. The mask depicted on this stamp is a mukudj mask of the Punu people.
REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
YEAR PRINTED: 1992
VALUE: 200 francs
This stamp is one of a set of four issued by the Gabonese Republic celebrating traditional masks of the peoples of Gabon. The mask depicted on this stamp is a spirit mask of the Kwele people.
REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
YEAR PRINTED: 1992
VALUE: 175 francs
This stamp is one of a set of four issued by the Gabonese Republic celebrating traditional masks of the peoples of Gabon. The mask depicted on this stamp is a mpongwé (mukudj) mask of the Punu people.
REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
YEAR PRINTED: 1992
VALUE: 100 francs
This stamp is one of a set of four issued by the Gabonese Republic celebrating traditional masks of the peoples of Gabon. The mask depicted on this stamp is a ngil mask of the Fang people.
TITLE: Duma Mask
TYPE: face mask
GENERAL REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
ETHNICITY: Duma
DESCRIPTION: Anthropomorphic face mask
CATALOG ID: AFGA004
MAKER: Unknown
CEREMONY: Adult Initiation; Funeral
AGE: 1980s
MAIN MATERIAL: wood
OTHER MATERIALS: kaolin clay; natural pigment
The Duma (also called Adouma or Aduma) people of Gabon is a small ethnic group known for being expert boatwrights and merchants. They inhabit the south bank of the upper Ogooué River. They continue to practice their traditional animistic religion, using masks major social events, such as adult initiation rituals and funerals. Duma masks tend to have a flat or slightly rounded shape, with geometrical patterns and two or three colors.
TITLE: Kwele Ekuk Mask
TYPE: face mask
GENERAL REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Gabon
ETHNICITY: Kwele
DESCRIPTION: Ekuk Plank Mask
CATALOG ID: AFGA001
MAKER: Unknown
CEREMONY: Be’ete Society
FUNCTION: Adult Initiation; Funeral: Protection; Spirit Invocation
AGE: 1960s
MAIN MATERIAL: wood
OTHER MATERIALS: kaolin clay
The Kwele, also known as Kwese, people of Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo now live between the Dja and Ivindo rivers. Social control is exercised by the Be’ete (or Bwete) Secret Society, which uses masks to adult initiation rituals, funerals, and protection of the village from malicious spirits. The masks embody protective bush spirits, with the antelope a dominant presence among them. Kaolin clay is nearly always used in Kwele masks, because its white color has spiritual meaning to the Kwele.
This specific mask represents an ekuk, or forest spirit.
