Kwele

Related to the Kota They live in the north of the People's Republic of the Congo, between the Dja and Ivindo rivers, on both sides of Gabon's border with the Republic of the Congo. They have a variety of masks. Ekuk masks are flat, often heart-shaped, like many of the masks of this African region, dominate the white color, which can alternate with other darker polychromes, without colors or flashy tones. The eyes, in the form of coffee bean thirst, carry an inner incision. The Kwele they celebrate an annual week-long festival within the rituals of the Bwite cult, during which they wear their masks in order to gain prosperity for the village. The rest of the time the masks remain hanging in the houses. During the rites and ceremonies of Bwiti the mask bearers invite people to join their dances. Men go to the forest to hunt antelopes, whose meat is seasoned with medicinal herbs and food in a celebration in which all the people participate.