Gabon, southwestern region
Punu-Eshire

Wood, braided rattan, kaolin pigment, red and black fiber rope
Mid 20th Century
Length: 20.5 in, Width: 8.25 in, Depth: 6.625 in
Idiophone – Struck Directly  – Bell, Wooden

This wooden ritual bell comes from the Puna-Eshire people, who live in the southwestern region of Gabon, along the coast. It depicts a female head with a high coiffure on top that extends in the back.  Both the face of the female head and a carved face on the front of the resonator bell are painted with white kaolin pigment.  A separate carved bat/stick is attached with braided string. Usage traces and drying cracks.  A field repair to a crack on the back with braided rattan is shown in this picture. 

The Punu live in independent villages divided into clans and families and social cohesion is ensured by a society known as Moukouji, whose primary role is to subjugate harmful forest spirits. During ceremonies related to the society, small wood carved statues, ritual bells, and masks appear, that are often covered in white pigments, alludes to their anti-witchcraft functions.