Combining anthropomorphic and zoomorphic elements, it represents a spirit that goes up in the trees to watch over humans and has a power of metamorphosis. He can easily change into a snake (hence the snake skin that adorns the top of his forehead) while becoming a monkey again.
Despite its aggressive appearance, the strong protuberance of the forehead, the open ears, the wide nose with tusks under the nostrils and the triangular mouth make up a whole that masters the union of forms inspired by reality and those suggested by the imaginary.
![Wè mask, Côte d'Ivoire](https://www.barbier-mueller.ch/wp-content/uploads/masque-wè.jpg)
Musée Barbier-Mueller. Photo Studio Ferrazzini Bouchet.