Early and rare leopard headdress "fe"

---

Description

miniature glass beads, sacking / fabric, grass fibre,
The leopard figure, stuffed with straw and embroidered with glass beads, is an early work. The wickerwork bonnet on the other hand, is likely to be a later addition, which replaced the original headdress, which had probably been damaged by a long time of use in the cult.

These “fe” headpieces were owned by the “kwosi” secret society and were usually worn together with an elephant mask “tukum” for the “tso” dance.

The triangular motifs are to represent the spotted fur of the animal. The leopard is considered the embodiment of the king and is the symbol of power and domination.

---

Comparing literature

Homberger, Lorenz (Hg.), Kamerun, Kunst der Könige, Zürich 2008, p. 189, Kat. 77 Kahan, Leonard et .al., A Cameroon World, New York 2007, p. 69, plate 19

---