The Punu live in region of the Ogowe River in south-central Gabon. Their masks commonly have white or black faces. The black masks may have a special judicial purpose, serving as arbitrators at trials. The white-faced masks, signifying the afterworld, were formerly used used by stilt dancers for funerary ceremonies, wherein they would dance as embodiments of the spirits of male and female ancestors. These masqueraders are known as Okuyi. They are currently used primarily to entertain audiences on festive occasions. Sub-groups of the Punu tribe carve their masks with stylistic variations. For example, the Njabi people of the upper Lola River carve masks with a double coiffure and a square chin. This okuyi mask represents an idealized female face. This is indicated by the raised scarifications on the forehead, which comprise nine dots arranged in a diamond. The arched eyebrows are carved in low relief, and the eyes are narrow slits, typically symbolic of the feminine. The harmonious features exude serenity. -Robbins/Nooter -Bacquart -Herzog/Kecskesi/Vajda