Gabon Punu People Funeral Mask - "Okuyi"

This is a Gabonese Punu People funeral mask, called "Okuyi." The mask represents an idealized female ancestor's face, including a hairstyle that resembles the hair arrangement of the women of the region. The hairstyle and the diamond shaped marks on the forehead indicate that the spirit is still a member of the ethnic group even after death. The mask is painted white with kaolin. White is a symbol for peace, deities, spirits of the dead, and the afterlife.

The masked dancers performed a ritual function of officiating at funerals, when they danced as embodiments of the spirits of ancestors. They wore costumes of raffia or cotton fabric and animal pelts. The dancers increased the drama by dancing at the time of full moon.

Today, the performances of these dances are intended primarily to entertain audiences on festive occasions.
Source:
http://www.zyama.com/punu/C154punu.htm