Kwele Mask - Antelope

Tribal mask, typical of the Kwele population (Cameroon) represents the head of an antelope. It was worn in two situations:

• in propitiatory ceremonies during the hunting season; whoever wore the mask asked his assistants to be tied up like a hunted animal, to celebrate the predominance of man over nature;

• in festive ceremonies for good hunting; it fueled the euphoria of the village in order to attract and thank the forces that had been propitious.

The colors used highlight the connection with nature, the dark brown recalls the earth in contrast with the light color of the face and the shells that adorn it.

The mask comes from a merchant in Johannesburg (South Africa).

Dimensions: 56 x 18 cm