Mukuyi Njabi mask

 

 

 

 

It's a mask that represents the female face of a young woman. The white color, obtained from the kaoli, is the color of the spirit of the dead and the ancestors. It is a funeral mask, used in the cult of the dead and in commemorative ceremonies and tries to obtain the favors of the deceased young women, whose memory is remembered in these rituals. It belongs to the male society Okuyi. Every Mukuyi represents the spirit of a dead young woman and seeks that the image sculpted, as beautiful as possible, may please her and thus obtain her protection from the realm of the dead. The Mukuyi walks through the village making spectacular acrobatic figures on stilts while threatening people with their two fly scarecrows, Myandzusymbol of wisdom and authority. The mask Mukuyi is front page by a stilt dancer, symbol of authority, called MbwanandaTraditionally only initiated men are allowed to take her. Women and children watch dances from a distance or from their homes.

The Mukuyilleva a rhombus formed by nine smaller rhombuses, on the forehead and in the temples. They represent the nine main founders of the Punu of Gabon and evoke the notion of perfection and wisdom. It is also a reference to its cosmogony, where the central rhombus is the creative principle, God, which is the origin of the four cardinal points, the world, as well as of the two primordial pairs, human beings. This distinctive sign called mabinda tattooed on the face of children at the age of ten to fourteen.

This mask represents the ideal of feminine beauty and expresses the serenity of the ancestors who protect from the realm of the dead. It is presented with almond-shaped chinned eyes, with oriental features and fleshy mouths. The hairstyles, of one or more cokes, confer the beauty and pride of the women of the region. Currently, this mask, which was essentially funeral, also appears on the occasion of the birth of twins, in popular celebrations and in important official events, in which ceremonies can be accompanied by female dancers. Traditionally they danced at dawn or twilight. Mukuyi is also named after Mbanda and always represents a feminine effigy.

It is a Njabi mask, these masks feature the hairstyle divided into two parts and have a more square chin. The portant the Njabi who live in the upper part of the Lola River.Finely arched eyebrows and eyes and fleshy red lips mouth ajar. Two central cocas with two side hairstyles, classic ethnic group. The black color of coca is usually obtained by applying a hot iron and then a black paint. Frontal scarifications only.