Cameroonian Bulu/Fang People Protection Mask: "Ngil Society"

This is a Cameroonian Bulu People mask called "Ngil," the word meaning gorilla. The Ngil Secret Society’s masks are made to resemble the powerful gorilla, and a full suit of raffia fiber is worn to enhance the effect of furriness. In the society's rituals, the gorilla protects the villagers, fighting against witchcraft, evil spirits and poisonings. The rituals are responsible for social control by assembling in the night to punish sorcerers and purify the village of evil. 

The Bulu/Fang people are divided between followers of their traditional animist religion and the Catholicism of their French colonizers. The Bulu people live in the border zone between Cameroon and Gabon.
Source:
https://www.contreeslointaines.fr/des-masques/masque-singe-bulu-fang-ngil-cameroun/
https://www.maskmuseum.org/mask/fang-ngil-1/