This beautiful handcrafted wooden Punu mask is commonly found throughout western and central Gabon. Black Punu masks are less common than the white ones. Black Punu masks are linked to a judiciary process such as searching for witches an enquiry into a crime or a trial by poison.
Typical of these types of masks are the female face. In some cases red dots are situated on the forehead and upper cheeks. Other common features are a pointed nose protruding lips; arched eyebrows narrow eyes and closed mouth.