Mbulu (the oval-faced one) is called upon by the Bakota people of Gabon to guard the remains of important ancestors. According to tradition, the bones are placed in a basket and Mbulu is placed over it. Victor Yao Delanyo makes a faithful replica of Bakota artistry as he carves the statuette from seasoned sese wood. The face is covered in brass, delicately embossed to highlight the work's allure.
