Powerful Arts of Cameroon Gallery

Northwestern Grassfields: Oku
Wood, human hair, pigment, feather, sap
mid-18th century

Masks such as this are used to commemorate deceased Fons (kings) and celebrate the enthronement of the successor.

The mask has deep eyes with kaolin pigment; the coiffure is composed of human hair applied with sap (leh) from Grassfields trees. The sap is believed to act as protection against bad spirits. The feather is a symbol of the title holder (leader). It possibly represents the face of the ancestral founder of the kingdom.

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bangwa
Wood
early 19th century

Carved from the palm tree, this particular mask has full, round high puffy cheeks. The very deep set eyes are a common characteristic of Troh Society masks. They are worn during the Fon’s (king’s) funeral and play a major role during the enthronement of the successor. The mask’s strong unity of form exudes the intelligence of the ages.

For a very intentional reason, now unknown to us, the carver made the eye on the left side slant upwards as well as a slight tilt of the mouth. One can only wonder why the carver chose this “expressionistic” path.

In the Bamileke tradition, carvers usually represented leaders or high-ranking people just as they looked; therefore, this mask may contain the important facial traits of a particular leader ―with his eyes not quite in alignment and a mouth not quite horizontal.

However, among the Bangwa Kingdom carvings, forms are often at their most basic representation, and symmetry and perfection are not as important as surprising forms, action and proportions, which often create a more emotional and powerful statement.

Western Grassfields: Babanki
Wood
early 20th century

This dynamic mask wears a prestige cap and represents a notable figure (title holder) within the Kingdom. The expression on the face with its open mouth represents singing during a festival or funeral.

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bangwa
Wood
late 18th century

The face of founding ancestors with puffy cheeks and beard surrounding the face, and was used during funerals for the deceased Fon (king) and enthronement of the new.

Northwestern Grassfields: Mambila
Wood, pigments
early 19th century

This fragmented figure represents an old style of carving which emphasizes the ceremonial movement of the body. The hands are on the chest in a position of prayer, and the position of the mouth with the exposed teeth showing suggests singing. The cylindrical, projecting eyes are also a stylized characteristic of Mambila carving. Overall, even with the erosion of the legs (once zig-zagging), the body still commuicates a powerful statement of motion and strength.

Many of the Mambila figures were used for protection and kept in a little hut within the compound. Each family has their personal statues. They believe that they would be protected from evil and bad spirits. Often the object received sacrifices and prayers from the owners.

In African culture, erosion of a sculpture does not necessarily destroy it, and that is why it is not usually discarded. It would still be used and might, in fact, have greater powers. The erosion usually enhances it, giving it more history and power.

Western Grassfields: Wum
Wood
early 20th century

This mask represents a fon (king) or title holder. He wears a prestige hat and has puffy cheeks on the sides of the bulging eyes, looking up to the sky – the unknown. His thick nose depicts strength. The lines on the side of the mask represent a beard which depicts old age (knowledge).

The chief has an open mouth and a row of teeth which represents speaking or singing during a royal celebration.

This early mask, in its simplicity, arrives at the essence of the carver’s statement: power and knowledge.

Northwestern Cameroon: Kaka
Wood, twine
early 20th century

Northwestern Grassfields: Kambe
Wood
early 19th century

The Fon (king) is wearing a prestige cap and a leopard tooth necklace, all carved from the same piece of wood. He is holding a carved buffalo motif palm wine cup and wears a royal bangle on his left hand.

Most leaders, being powerful, are depicted with large heads, this one with a moustache and beard.
Such figures are kept in the royal palace and are shown publically during special festivals. For instance, when a chief passes away, the important sculptures are taken out for the public to see, as they represent the past Fons.

Northwestern Grassfields: Kom
Wood
early 20th century

Northwestern Grassfields: Oku
Wood
early 20th century

Western Forest: Widekum
Wood
20th century

One figure is anthropomorphic, with a leopard’s body and a human face. The other figure is a person performing a ritual act. They are surrounded by two giant earth spiders symbolizing wisdom.

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bangwa
Wood, pigment
19th century

This very rare guardian post is in the form of a coiled snake, and carving it in this multiple series of curves is in itself a tour de force. This sculpture is complete, the bottom eroded from being planted in the ground for a long time during the grieving period.

The Bamileke believe that the snake is a carrier of the soul into the after life.

Southwestern Forest: Bulu/Fang Wood
early 20th century

Northwestern Grassfields: Oku
Wood, sacrificial materials
early 20th century

Buffalo or ram mask with stubby horns and flaring nostrils. The hard, black patina is covered with sacrificial material.

Kwifoyn Society Western Grassfields: Bamileke
Iron, cane
early 20th century

Northern Grassfields: Mambila
Wood, metal, pigment
early 20th century

The patina is an ancient one implying many things, i.e. wise and powerful. As old sculptures develop ancient patina from the elements (wind, rain, sun usage and sacrificial material) it gains power and wisdom from age. This figure in particular has that type of profound patina, which has become an aesthetic; and thus gives the piece even more value and respect.

The female ritualist is playing a flute during a ceremony. The zig-zag on the figure is one of the great dynamics of Mambila carving.

Western Grassfields: Bamileke: Dschang
Wood, beads, thread
20th century

The small, commemorative figure represents a Fon (king) seated on a stool covered in imported beads which symbolizes prestige. The fon holds a ritual staff and smokes a pipe while crossing his legs. The crossing of the legs is a position only allowed for the fon; title holders are permitted as well, but outside the palace. This gesture represents a Fon having a formal or ritual meeting.

Northwestern Grassfields: Oku
Wood
early 20th century

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bandjoun
Human hair, animal horns, cowrie shells, textile
early 19th century

The chameleons are emerging out of the royal crown which has the form of a ritual ceramic “country” pot. The pot contains all ritual and sacrificial materials connected with the living and the deceased ancestors.

This headpiece was used mostly on a shine, but taken out and worn during special ceremonies.

Western Grassfields: Bafanji
Brass, copper, pigment
18th century

This mask was kept in a secret house in the palace, with a giant lizard on the top of the head representing awareness.

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bangwa
Wood, hide, fur, metal
early 19th century

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bangwa
Wood, medicinal substances
early 19th century

Western Grassfields
Copper, straw, medicinal substances
early 20th century

This pipe was used for smoking and contained medicines that protected and helped country warriors to be invisible during war time to defeat their enemies. The puffy cheeks and notable hat are familiar charateristics of a prestigous figure within the community.

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bangwa
Wood, human hair, textile, metal, pigment, paint
early 20th century

The face of this mask has black and red paint on surface, and the coiffure is an assemblage mix of various cloths, slices of goat hide, human hair, and owl wings on both sides of the ears which symbolize vision and power.

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bangwa
Wood
early 20th century

Western Grassfields: Wum
Wood, pigment
early 19th century

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Dschang
Wood
early 19th century

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bamena
Wood, animal hide with fur, cloth, burlap sack, pigment
early 20th century

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bangwa
Wood, textile, animal hide with fur
early 20th century

Western Grassfields, Bamileke:
Bangwa
Wood, textile, glasses, pigments
20th century

Western Grassfields: : Balikumbat
Brass, copper
19th century

This large royal pipe is cast in brass and copper represents the fon’s (king) face with puffy cheeks and aggressive wide eyes. On top of the pipe there is a crown of the nine important notable individuals who rule the kingdom together with the fon (king).

All nine notables belong to a Secret Society, and they are responsible for the fon’s security. They play the role of a supreme court and make jugdments among the people and also have the right to judge the fon for wrong doing and can even revoke his title. They are responsible for the funeral preparations for the deseased fon and enthronement of their successors.

Northern Grassfields: Mambila
Terra cota
19th century

This pipe represents a mother and child, a theme seldom seen on pipes.

Northwestern Grassfields: Kom
Clay
early 20th century

Northwestern Grassfields
Brass, copper, beads, wood, banana leaves
early 19th century

This pipe was used to hold medicine that will assist warriors in being invisible to the battle field.

Northwestern Grassfields, Bamenda: Bafut
Brass, copper
mid 20th century

Northwestern Grassfields: Kom
Wood
early 20th century

Private Collection · Connecticut

Western Grassfield, Bamileke: Bagam
Brass, copper, wood, banana leaf
early 20th century

Northwestern Cameroon: Kaka
Terra
cotta, cane
late 19th century to early 20th century

This ceremonial vessel has Secret Society members surrounding the rim of the opening. Those who are members of the powerful Secret Society are allowed to drink from it during meetings, blessing and sacrifices.

Northwestern Grassfields: Kom
Wood, feathers, burlap sack, pigment
19th century

This costume and mask was used during important ceremonies and funeral celebrations.

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bansoa Wood
early 20th century

Wooden Fon’s throne with leopard caryatid which symbolize power and authority .

Western Grassfields, Bamileke: Bangwa
Wood, textile, pigments
early 20th century

Southwestern Forest: Ejagham
Wood, metal, pigment, medicinal substances
early 19th century

This power figure was used for healing and divination.

Northwestern Grassfields: Oku
Human hair, burlap sack
early 20th century

Eastern Grassfield, Bamum: Foumban
Graphite and paint on wood
mid-20th century

The illustration depicts Fon Mboumbouo during the annual festival (Nja) in front of the palace. The artsist, Chankouo, son of Moise Yeyap, a cousin of Fon Njoya. Moiseyeyap liberated the Bamum people from the injustices of Fon Ibraham Njoya.

Northwestern Grassfields, Bamileke: Bamum
Cotton, pigments
early 20th Century

This textile, called ndop, is composed of unbleached cotton and dyed with indigo pigment, using a resist-dye technique. Originally status symbols for Bamum nota- bles, now they are prestige symbols in courts through- out the Grassfields. Large textiles are used as display cloths delineating ceremonial dance areas; they also act as backdrops for royalty and commemorative figures.