A superb 'Punu' tribe mask sourced from the Puno tribe, Gabon. This mask is painted in a white and blackish brown. There are lozenge shaped scarification marks on the forehead which represent a more recent adornment, these masks also inspire a certain amount of fear. The mask represents an idealised female face, the half closed eyes with swollen lids suggest somnolence or ecstacy, and the eyebrows are represented by harminious curves made by pokerwork. The scarification marks on the forehead and temples each consisting of 9 dots arranged in a square or diamond represent a woman as men did not display such marks on their faces. The scarification marks are also thought to have a sexual connotation. These masks known as 'Okuyi' or 'Mukuyi' are intende primarily to entertain audiences on festive occasions. They fulfill a ritual function of officiating at funerals, when they dance as embodiments of the spirits of female and male ancestors.

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