Tribal Art

These masks extended with heavy embroidered panels were worn by high-ranking members of Bamileke society. The central part depicting a head is surmounted by a wickerwork tiara trimmed with textile, decorated with zoomorphic motifs. Exhibited on the occasion of the funerals of certain warriors, the wearer waved their ears and simulated the charge of the elephant, the animal that this mask symbolized.
br /> Bamileke society had several initiatory associations including the mwola and the komiyo, these are the societies from which the men authorized to wear these masks come.

It is on the occasion of the elephant dance, tso, that members of the Kuosi, Kwosi society , wore impressive feathered headdresses. They were worn over a multi-colored costume consisting of a large beaded ...

In African art, the Bamiléké demonstrate their know-how through the use of multicolored beads.
This monoxyle seat having the appearance of a table, named rü mfo among the Bamum, presents human figurative motifs enhanced by contrasting colours. A basic structure is carved in wood and then covered, above a raffia canvas, with a latticework of imported multicolored beads.

Located in the border region of Nigeria, the North West Province of Cameroon, the Grassland is made up of several ethnic groups: Tikar, Anyang, Widekum, Chamba, Bamoun, or Bamum and Bamileke. Several centralized chiefdoms, or kingdoms, based on customary associations, secret societies, are organized around the Fon who has broad powers. Among the Bamilékés of Sudano-Bantu origin, as in other ...

Colors and chieftaincies in African art The rich production of African art among the people of the Cameroonian Grassland is illustrated mainly by traditional wood carvings: commemorative sculptures of kings, queens, princesses and titled servants, as well as the parents of twins.
This carved figure ("N'Kétuok") representing an ancestor wearing a breastplate, a cup between his legs, was first carved in wood and then wrapped in a rag cloth inlaid with imported glass beads. Complex and refined beaded decoration.
Within the important Bamileke people in western Cameroon, the Bangwa constitute a small kingdom composed of nine chiefdoms. The influence of the Bamileke on Bangwa statuary is notable for relatively comparable facial features and morphology. Typical of ...

In African art, sculpted works or N 'Kétuok , in Bamiléké country, are distinguished by a regular use of cowries and pearls, sewn on a raffia canvas, marrying in a learned polychromy. . The latter make it possible to identify the chiefdom from which they come. These prestigious statues representing servants, were arranged alongside the royal throne on the occasion of certain ceremonies and originate from one of the nine Bangwa kingdoms located in the west of the Bamiléké country.
The body position is classic with the lower and upper limbs bent. The neck is highlighted by a series of multicolored necklaces ending in a plastron.
Among the Bamiléké as in other ethnic groups, works of art testified to their owner's place in society. Thus, the materials and shapes of the ...

Colors and chiefdoms in African art.
This sculpted figure N'Ketuok) representing a male ancestor with stocky shapes was first carved out of wood and then wrapped in a canvas of rabane encrusted with imported glass beads. The character has a horn. One hand rests on his bulging abdomen. Beautiful polychrome harmony.
Shez the Bamiléké as in other ethnic groups, the art objects bore witness to the place of their owner in society. Thus, the materials and shapes of objects varied according to social status. King Bamiléké , also known as fon, guarantor of soil fertility and the protection of his subjects, was not considered mortal. As a result, his funeral was a joyous celebration, with the fon simply retiring physically but still watching over his people from his new home. Located ...

The most African bamileke masks are face masks, unlike bamoun masks intended to be placed on the head. They are the members of the " companies Mandjong" and " Lali" who use them during their dances. Several types of masks are listed: zoomorphic masks, usually buffalo, cephalomorphic but with horns, janiform masks, masks with a tiara-like crown, and masks evoking a blower with large bulging cheeks. Some are dressed in natural hair braids, such as our copy, which displays a thick hair composed of black hair and human hair to which various greys are added: toucan skull and ossicles, all fixed on a thick canvas nailed to the contours of the mask. Black-brown satin patina on which ochre pigments remain. Desication cracks. Missing on an eyelid. Located in the border region of Nigeria, the ...

These long masks in fabric embroidered with pearls with very rich polychromy were worn by high-ranking members in society bamileke . The beaded embroidered fabric panels are topped with a basket-shaped tiara decorated with zoomorphic symbols with textile scantily.
, on the occasion of the funeral of some warriors, the wearer waved his ears and simulated the charge of the elephant, an animal that this mask symbolized.
In African art, the animal kingdom has a special place because of its ubiquitous physical proximity. Some animals have thus largely integrated the cosmogonies of many ethnic groups. The elephant is an obvious example of this and works that symbolize them are given royal virtues.
The Bamileke society had several initiation associations including the mwola and ...

Located in the border region of Nigeria, the northwestern province of Cameroon, the Grassland is made up of several ethnic groups: Tikar, Anyang, Widekum, Chamba, Bamoun and Bamileke. Several centralized chiefdoms, or kingdoms, based on customary associations, secret societies, are organized around the Fon which has broad powers. Among The Bamilékés of Sudano-Bantous origin as well as in other ethnic groups, the art objects attested to the place of their owner in society. The seats, whose ornamentation varied according to social status, were carved for routine use or for meetings of the Customary Societies. Each of the Cameroonian kingdoms produces an art linked to the royal prestige of the Fon consisting of regal, various weapons and cult sculptures, this treasure being kept in a box ...