Tsogho Mask

The Tsogho, a small ethnic group of approximately 13,000 people residing in the high
valleys of Central Gabon, have preserved their traditional and religious life due to their
long-standing isolation. This isolation has allowed the Tsogho to maintain their unique
cultural practices and artistic expressions.
Tsogho art objects are both aesthetic and liturgical creations, often representing significant entities in their belief system. For instance, Nzambé-Kana, considered the first male ancestor of humanity, is typically depicted as a statue or an anthropomorphic bust.
Another notable figure is Ngondo, the great hornbill with a black helmet, whose mask is
used in the nocturnal rites of Bwiti.
Additionally, the Tsogho have "full-length" cult statues known as Géhonga. These statues play a role in various Bwiti practices beyond ancestor worship, highlighting the rich and intricate spiritual traditions of the Tsogho people.