Gabonian Bakota People Idiophone (Gong)
Collection: Spiritual Connections
Object Category: Music and Noisemakers
Object Type: Musical Instruments
Country: Gabon
Continent: Africa
width: 5 in;
height: 23 in;
depth: 5 in
This is a Gabonese Bakota People gong, sounded to herald the arrival of chiefs or other important personages at any occasion. The gong itself is of forged iron and was beaten by a stick, which is attached. The head is in the form of a Bakota reliquary guardian figure, made of beaten brass.
The Bakota guardians, called "mwete," are flat with oval, concave faces sheathed in metal, usually brass or copper. The metal gleamed at night to protect against evil. These figures were mounted on containers holding relics of important clan ancestors, serving as guardians.
Source:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kota-mahongwe-brass-iron-gong-with-striker
http://www.hamillgallery.com/SITE/ReliquaryGuardians.html