Fang Mask Set 2108

Tribe: Fang
Country of origin: Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea

The Fang are famous for their art, especially their wooden masks and figurines. The masks are beautifully carved heart shaped, concave faces and a bulbous forehead. They are important in many ceremonies and rituals, including the So festival, where a red antelope (So) mask is used in the initiation of young men. White elongated masks are used for ceremonies, maintaining law and order and communing with their ancestors. The masks were used for inspiration by many of the avant-garde artists of the 20th century. The newer beaded masks are a combination of the old mask and new ideas, representing the past and present, symbolising a brighter future.