African Buffalo Mask, Bamileke Cameroon

Description

African Buffalo Mask, Bamileke Cameroon
Among the zoomorphic masks of the Cameroon Grasslands, buffalo masks are considered the most powerful: ‘symbols of force, of courage and of power’, according to Harter (1986:44). In the Grasslands, just as amongst their neighbors, (Duala, Mama), the buffalo is a symbol of the chief. Therefore, according to Harter ( ibid.) the buffalo hunt was reserved only for the fon (king) in the Grasslands. Amongst the Bamum, the buffalo mask was the first to appear at the annual festival, nja, expressing ‘ solidarity, wealth and the social role of the Bamum’ (Geary, 1984: 138-142). The buffalo helmet mask was worn by a nephew of the king, chosen as ‘the preferred servant of the court’ (ibid.).
Origin:
Cameroon
Material:
Wood
Dimensions:
Height; 33 in. x Width; 20 in. x Depth; 8 in.