Kuyu Kebe Kebe head
Kuyu people
Gabon
Mid XX century
H. 47 cm
Little is known about the Kuyu art, art of a people located around Owando, in the basin formed by the Likouala, the Kouyou and Alima rivers in northern Gabon.
What we know in the collections consists mainly of polychrome Kebe Kebe heads (marottes) once exhibited for the initiates during dances.
These performances led the dancers, completely hidden under a vast costume, to operate these heads with sticks allowing them to climb up to 20 meters from the ground.
Kuyu people
Gabon
Mid XX century
H. 47 cm
Little is known about the Kuyu art, art of a people located around Owando, in the basin formed by the Likouala, the Kouyou and Alima rivers in northern Gabon.
What we know in the collections consists mainly of polychrome Kebe Kebe heads (marottes) once exhibited for the initiates during dances.
These performances led the dancers, completely hidden under a vast costume, to operate these heads with sticks allowing them to climb up to 20 meters from the ground.
Kuyu people
Gabon
Mid XX century
H. 47 cm
Little is known about the Kuyu art, art of a people located around Owando, in the basin formed by the Likouala, the Kouyou and Alima rivers in northern Gabon.
What we know in the collections consists mainly of polychrome Kebe Kebe heads (marottes) once exhibited for the initiates during dances.
These performances led the dancers, completely hidden under a vast costume, to operate these heads with sticks allowing them to climb up to 20 meters from the ground.