SKU: 81250284159

Punu Mukudj Mask, Gabon #180

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Description

Punu Mukudj Mask, Gabon #180Punu Mukudj Mask, Gabon #180 Good condition with slight clear traces of wear and tear. Measurements: 381513 cm; 15" x 6" x 5" Punu Masks from Gabon, known as Mukudj (Mukudji or Mukuyithe names of the Ceremonies at which they appear and the Stilt Dances associated with them), represent an Idealized Female Ancestor, symbolizing beauty, serenity, and the Spirit World. White kaolin covered faces signify the Afterlife, and Ancestral Wisdom. Worn by male

  • Punu Mukudj Mask, Gabon #180
  • Good condition with slight clear traces of wear and tear.
  • Measurements: 38×15×13 cm; 15" x 6" x 5"

     

  • Punu Masks from Gabon, known as Mukudj (Mukudji or Mukuyi—the names of the Ceremonies at which they appear and the Stilt Dances associated with them), represent an Idealized Female Ancestor, symbolizing beauty, serenity, and the Spirit World. White kaolin-covered faces signify the Afterlife, and Ancestral Wisdom. Worn by male stilt-dancers, these Masks mediate between the Living and Dead, often in Funeral or Celebratory contexts.

  • Key Symbolism and Meaning of Punu Masks
    Idealized Female Ancestor: Representing the "Most Beautiful Women", these Masks feature high-domed foreheads, elaborate coiffures, and diamond-shaped scarification (lozenge-shaped) on the forehead/ temples.
    White Kaolin Clay: The white pigment, derived from local riverbeds, symbolizes Peace, the Afterlife and Spirits of the Dead.
    Serenity and Inner Vision: The eyes are usually half-closed, reflecting Meditation, Inner Peace, and a connection to the Spiritual Realm.

  • Black Masks (Rare): While most are white in pigmentation/ painting, black-colored Punu masks (Ikwaras) exist, generally representing Judicial or Protective Functions during Illnesses or Witchcraft-related Issues.

    Black Punu masks were believed linked to a Judiciary Process such as searching for Witches, an Enquiry into a Crime, or a Trial by Poison.

    According to Louis Perrois, the category "masks with black painted faces" make up about 8% of the corpus of the Punu Masks. The black-faced
    masks represent Angry Spirits, and are therefore considered potentially dangerous to handle them. According to Perrois (1979: 235) the black patina on Punu masks is presumably an index of its more serious or darker role in Judiciary Services, potentially Condemning the Living, whereas Punu Masks layered in white kaolin are used in Celebrations and Funerary Ceremonies.

  • Cultural Identity: Today, these Masks are recognized as a key emblem of Punu Identity and were sometimes displayed in Villages for their Cultural Significance.
    The masks typically feature a heart-shaped face with a small, pointed chin and are crafted from wood, often accompanied by elaborate costumes of fiber or raffia.

  • The creator of a "Mukudj" Mask would attempt to capture the likeness of the most beautiful woman in his Community. The Subject of this particular idealized and stylized portrait was embellished in classic nineteenth-century fashion with a coiffure composed of a central lobe and two lateral tresses and with cicatrization motifs on the forehead and temples. Kaolin taken from riverbeds, which was associated with healing and with a Spiritual, Ancestral Realm of Existence, was applied to the surface of the face. By using this material, the Artist both celebrated the Beauty of a Mortal Woman and transformed her likeness into a Transcendent Being.

  • Punu Masks were only worn by male members of the Mwiri society, who dance on tall stilts on the occasion of Celebrations marking the end of Mourning, and more generally at important social events in the life of a Community. Their joyful, acrobatic walkabout performances are reminiscent of their former role as initiators and guarantors of social order, the cleanliness of community spaces, and even the moral behavior of the inhabitants.

  • Origin is Gabon

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SKU: 81250284159

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Mimis cake school
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Finally! Comfy pillows for a😴good night sleep
Color: White, Size: Queen (Pack of 4)
Just wow!! Looking for new pillows that are comfortable & hold their shape. These are it ! I love anything by utopia. And these pillows did not disappoint. Great value. Feels like a high end pillow. As a side sleeper these are a keeper. Highly recommend. And ill be purchasing more!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026
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Maria Fernanda Rojas Mejia
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Soft, fluffy and surprisingly comfortable
Color: White, Size: Queen (Pack of 2), Color: White, Size: Queen (Pack of 2)
I really liked these pillows. I tried to show different things in my photos because I wanted people to see the details: the design, how fluffy they are, and how full and thick they actually look. They are so full that the pillowcase even looks tight once you put it on, which I actually loved because they look luxurious and well-filled. At first glance they look very thick and high, but once you lay down they feel soft and fluffy instead of hard. They adjust comfortably and feel very cozy whether you’re sleeping, relaxing, or even reading before bed. I think they offer a really good balance because they feel supportive without being stiff. Of course, pillow preference is very personal—some people like lower pillows and others like higher ones—but for someone who likes fuller pillows that are still soft and comfortable, these are great. They are spacious, cozy, and feel like a very good purchase overall. I honestly don’t have any complaints so far. Definitely happy with them.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2026
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RF
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Great quality pillows. Very difficult wrapping.
Color: White, Size: King (Pack of 2)
The Pillows are the real deal. Very fluffy but with good support. I was surprised by the weight of the box they came in, pretty heavy so you know there’s good quality pillows inside. The one negative is that the pillows are packed in very very tight plastic because they come compressed. But the thing is, it’s really a chore to open them. You have to be careful not to cut through the plastic to the material, but the plastic is put on so incredibly tight that it’s even hard to get your finger underneath. But I found a way to open them. Near the top, insert A very flat metal ruler as far in as you could get it. Then cut through the plastic that’s above the metal ruler. That prevents a sharp tool from damaging the pillows. As you get through the plastic above the ruler, keep pushing the ruler further down into the package. Believe me, this simplifies what could be a very difficult unpacking. I am very surprised that the company that makes them does not insert the type of opener that you find on boxes you receive in the mail or even packages that you get from the grocery store where you just pull a tab and that opens the package. These are really good pillows, but you must be very careful about using a sharp object when opening the box and when trying to cut through the plastic. I am a strong man and have the tools needed, a very flat metal ruler, and a box cutter, knife, or razor. Good luck. !!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2026
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Laura
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Good quality
Color: White, Size: King (Pack of 2), Color: White, Size: King (Pack of 2)
These are so comfortable. I don’t think I even have to break them in. Soft and firm at the same time
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2026
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Kindle Customer
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 4
Firm to not firm pillows
Color: White, Size: Queen (Pack of 2)
At first the pillows were nice and firm however over the past several weeks they are no longer as firm
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Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2026

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