Fang Ngil Mask

This is the most likely identification based on its elongated face, heart-shaped features, kaolin clay covering, and often slit-like eyes and mouth.
History:

Origin: These masks originate from the Fang people of Gabon (and sometimes Equatorial Guinea).
Traditional Use: Ngil masks were historically used in a powerful, secret society known as the "Ngil." This society played a crucial role in maintaining social order, settling disputes, and administering justice within Fang communities.
Purpose of the Ngil Society: The Ngil society aimed to purify villages of malevolent forces, sorcery, and wrongdoing. The appearance of the Ngil mask was a significant event, inspiring both awe and fear.
Decline: With the influence of colonialism and Christian missionary work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Ngil society and the use of these masks largely declined. Public displays of the masks were often suppressed.
Collection and Display: Many surviving Ngil masks found their way into Western collections during this period and are now held in museums and private collections worldwide.
Cultural Significance:

Authority and Social Control: The Ngil mask embodied significant spiritual and social authority. Its appearance represented the power of the society to enforce rules and punish transgressions.
Ritual and Ceremony: The masks were used in dramatic nocturnal ceremonies, often accompanied by specific music, chanting, and movements, enhancing their impact.
Ancestral Connection: While not directly representing specific ancestors in the same way as some other African masks, the Ngil figure was often seen as a powerful spiritual entity connected to the well-being of the community and the maintenance of ancestral traditions.
Secrecy and Initiation: The knowledge and rituals associated with the Ngil society were highly secretive, with initiation processes marking the entry of new members into the society's inner workings.
Symbolism and Design:

White Kaolin Clay: The characteristic white color, achieved by covering the mask with kaolin clay, held powerful symbolic meaning. White is often associated with spirits, purity, death, and the afterlife in many African cultures. It could evoke a sense of the otherworldly and the seriousness of the Ngil's purpose.
Elongated Face: The long, narrow face with its serene or sometimes severe expression conveyed a sense of mystery and otherworldly presence.
Heart-Shaped Features: The inverted heart shape often framing the forehead and cheeks is a distinctive stylistic element of Ngil masks. Its specific symbolism is debated but likely contributed to the mask's unique aesthetic and spiritual impact.
Slit Eyes and Mouth: The narrow, slit-like openings for the eyes and mouth added to the mask's enigmatic and often unsettling appearance, further distancing it from the everyday human realm.
Minimalist Features: The often sparse and abstract features contribute to the mask's powerful and iconic form, focusing on essential shapes and the stark contrast of the white surface.
Crest or Protuberance: The element on top of the head, as seen in your image, is another common feature. Its specific meaning could vary but often added to the mask's height and visual impact.