Bamileke, (Mbalekeo, Mileke) GRASSLAND,
CAMEROON
N'KANG MASK In Bamileke (Mbalekeo, Mileke) territories, the fon entrusted the guardianship of the sculptures to certain members, because spreading around portions of the treasury was an insurance against the frequent fires. In spite of the ethnic and stylistic variations found in the Grassland area, similar types of mask have been produced. The various societies also had their masks; some of them, according the tradition, had been created and consecrated by the ancestors themselves, others inspired great fear, there were masks decorated with beads, copper, and cowry shells. Most of the kingdoms used the buffalo, stag, elephant, birds masks, and masks presenting male and female human heads. They are usually worn during state ceremonies or during annual festivities. During these ceremonies, the leading dancer wears a n’kang mask which bears a false beard, and is often covered in royal paraphernalia such as cowry shells and beads. The n’kang mask is followed by other masks representing a woman, a man or an animal.
#M9B11M1127
20" x 13" x 17"
$370 + $60 (S&H)
Bamileke Beaded Helmet
#M9B11M1127
20" x 13" x 17"
$370 + $60 (S&H)