This type of mask from the Grasslands is found
among the Tikar, Bali, Bamum and Bamileke, Bekom,
Bafum, and Bamessing. They all have a king and his
court as focal point. They also have secret societies
which dominate social life. Membership was limited
to the chiefs and elders of the village. The masks
belonging to these societies have several functions
within the framework of their activities and they are
kept in the society's religious house. These masks
have peculiar characteristics which are displayed in
this mask. The large wooden mask has a round face
with eyes set wide apart with accentuated, round
pupils. The thick nose has broad nostrils and the
mouth is open and furnished with large teeth.
Sometimes the cheekbones may be pronounced, but
more often we find huge, round, sometimes quite
grotesque cheeks such as the cheeks of this mask.
The ears are semi-circular and proturding. The most
striking masks are those with a tall superstructure,
such as the geometric design on this mask. This is an
openwork headdress carved with diagonals. The
great artistic skill displayed in this magnificent mask
deserves full appreciation of the artistic tradition of
the Grassland style of the Cameroon in which this
mask served an important role in a significant ritual
dance.
- (PF.3067)
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