African Fine Arts - AFRICAN-ART

Fang Mask # 1 - Gabon
This mask belongs to a group of ngontang masks, and is called nlo ngon ntan, "head of the white girl." Without possessing a special sacred significance, the mask was probably danced only by an initiated man. Masks embodying a deceased person had two purposes: to keep forces away from the village and render evil doers ineffective.