Guardian figures, Mwete or M'Bulu-Ngulu, depict deceased ancestors of the Bakota. The face and the ear decoration of this reliquary guardian are covered with a sheet of brass. The Bakota kept relics (skulls, remains of bones) of high-ranking people in tall bark boxes or baskets. The "guardians" were placed on the edge of these boxes or baskets. Like oracles, the reliquary guardians were consulted before important decisions were made.