African Art and Information of the Kota Tribe

Gabon

The Kota live on the Eastern side of Gabon, migrating south to their present forest environment area in the 18th century. This migration was due to pressure by the Kwele who had beed forced from their own territories by the Fang. 

Historically, the Kota left the dead unburied in the forest far away from the village, however due to influence placed on them by neighboring chiefs, they began to bury their dead.  Chiefs were always buried, however, later they were often exhumed for bones which would be placed with other "magical" substances in a bark box or basket which were called Bwete onto which reliquary fiigures were attached.  These reliquary figures were called mbulu-ngulu and served as protectors of the contens of the Bwete.

THe Bwete were called on in times of crisis to combat unseen agents of harm. Its intersection was sought in such vital matter such as fertility, success in hunting and success in commercial ventures.  A husband could use it to guard against his wifes infidelity, as it was believed that if he placed items of her clothing in the reliquary bundle, an unfaitful wife would be driven mad.  Families too their bwete to ceremonies of neighboring villages to strengthen the allied community.

Kota Masks are rare, principally helmet masks with simplified features, like tubular eyes, large incised eyebrows and a crested coiffure.  They are often covered in pigments and were used in intiiation ceremonies.