While the white-faced masks produced by the peoples of the Ogowe basin appear frequently in collections outside of Africa, black masks in the same style are quite rare. Perrois suggests that the difference in color may indicate a change in function.
Among the Galoa and the Ivili of the lower Ngounie River, white okouyi initiation masks are painted black to transform them temporarily into judgement masks with the power to discover witches (Perrois 1979:253).
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