Fang Mask
The fang people would use the masks in their secret societies. The ngil mask (fang mask, also the gorilla mask) would be worn in the initiation of newcomers and persecutions of wrongdoers, in the male society. The mask would also be worn by spiritual leaders in a ritual to drive away evil spirits. The fang people were usually hunters but also agriculturists. The fang people’s social structure is based on a clan. They practice a cult devoted to the bieri, their ancestor lineages, whose aim was to protect themselves from the deceased and to recruit and aid in the matters of daily life. The fang people were located along the coast of equatorial Africa and can be found in Gabon, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. The fang people made the mask from wood and natural pigments and would be painted white with black outlines on the facial features. There are many different kinds of the masks but they are usually elongated and featuring a heart shaped face with a long nose. When used in a situation of punishment or death, like the persecution of wrongdoers, the masks would be covered in kaolin, white clay-like material, to represent death. The masks sometimes had horns on them in a long lasting ritual by the So, or red antelope. They would attach the masks to the arms of the maskers.
Work Cited Page
"Fang mask history." Rebirth African Art Gallery. 30 Jan 2009
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"FANG (FAN, MPANGWE, PAHOUIN, PAHOUINS, PAHUINS, PAMUE, PANGWE)." TRIBAL AFRICAN ART . 30 Jan 2009 .