Punu mask

Popis

Punu represent the idealized faces of female ancestors, personalities who gave birth to twins or themselves descended from twins. White is a symbol of peace, deities,spirits of the dead and mourning. It creates a connection to the world of spirits and ancestors. These masks are characterized by tight high hairstyles reflecting the hairstyles worn by Punu women. The masks often have an oriental expression, but no such influence has been demonstrated. Nowadays, they are primarily intended to entertain spectators on festive occasions. In the performances, dancers in costumes of raffia or cotton and animal skins, move with amazing acrobatic agility on stilts up to two metres high.