Punu sculpture of a female ancestor, dedicated to the ancestor cult, healing rites, or divination. The statue is associated with the universe of protective spirits, guarantors of the community's well-being in Punu culture. According to their traditions, water spirits are embodied in women and expressed through them. It features a very compact body, pointed breasts, protruding buttocks, and powerful lower limbs; in her hands she carries calabashes that symbolize prosperity. Scarification on the face and body.
The Punu people belong to the Shira group, which, along with the Omyene and Sheke, are among the most important in Gabon. These populations, although they recognize differences among themselves, share common cultural and artistic affinities, so that most of their artistic expressions present common characteristics.

The treatment of the face deserves special mention, following common patterns among all these peoples: white masks; the white color, achieved with kaolin, covers the entire face except for the lips and scarifications, which are red, while the hairstyle retains the color of the wood. The face is oval-shaped, with a slightly domed forehead, thin arched eyebrows, protruding eyes with a narrow slit and slanted, well-defined lips, forming a slightly open mouth. In the center of the forehead and temples, scarifications stand out, which each group marks on its members after initiation rites. The one on the forehead is rhombus-shaped, formed by nine smaller rhombuses; the same scheme is followed on the temples. The nine protrusions evoke the Punú cosmogony; the central rhombus symbolizes the supreme divinity that created the four cardinal points and the two primordial couples.

Their characteristic braided hairstyle, which in this case surrounds the entire face, is usually very elaborate and culminates in the central part, where it forms a kind of bulging crest, generally with a cleft in the middle; to achieve this volume, Punu women often make a false inner bun with vegetable fibers that they then cover with their natural hair.
Conservation status: Very good. Shows a slight loss of volume in the front of the right foot. The polychrome of the face is well preserved. Minor rubbing on the rest of the body.

PUNU SCULPTURE
Gabon. 20th century.

Very good state of preservation; it has a small loss of volume in the front of the right foot, well-preserved facial polychrome, and minor abrasions on the body.

The Punu people, part of the Shira group of Gabon, share cultural and artistic affinities with the Omyene and Sheke. Their sculptures and masks, like this piece, reflect spiritual beliefs where water spirits manifest themselves in women, expressing themselves through specific forms and symbols. The white kaolin facial treatment, scarification, and elaborate hairstyles are distinctive features that evoke their cosmogony, the supreme divinity, and initiation rites. These works have been essential in the community's rituals of protection, healing, and divination.