The Fang people migrated from the
northwest
during the 18th and 19th centuries and are
today
spread out across southern Cameroon,
Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. They are
primarily
hunters but farm as well. Fang social
structure is
based upon the clan, a group of individuals
with
a common ancestor, and upon the family.
They
also maintain tribal cohesion through the So
and
Ngil societies. Each family possessed a
Byeri, or
reliquary box, in which the bones of famous
ancestors were kept. The box was kept by
the
Esa, the eldest man in the family.
Fang Byeri figures (the guardian statue that
surmounts the Byeri box) are usually
characterized by a seated male figure. He
normally has bent legs, an elongated torso,
hands which are usually joined around the
stomach, and a head with stylized features
that
may include inlaid metal eyes. In this case,
the
figure holds his hands alongside his
stomach.
Sometimes similar sculptures hold magical
divination devices in their hands in order to
conjure up spiritual forces. However, this
powerful figure needs no tools, for he is able
to
communicate with the beyond solely with his
hypnotic stare. This guardian clearly
commands
a forceful presence in the mysterious realm
of
the other world. He functions both as
guardians
of the spirits of deceased ancestors as well
as
the protector of our health and benevolence
that
are influence by the forces from beyond.
- (PF.0144)
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