Helmet mask "suaga" ·  Cameroon, Mambila · ID: 3032542

Description

wood, encrusted black patina, red and white pigment, carved with horns and funnel-shaped snout, slightly dam., cracks (calotte), abrasion;
the most significant mask dancers of the “suaga” celebrations are called “suaga due” (“big suaga”) and “suaga bor” (“dog suaga”). For the creation of “suaga bor” masks special magical ingredients are needed, which require the ritual killing of dogs. The drilled holes at the rim serve for attachment of a plaited costume, enveloping the mask dancers body.

The object Helmet mask “suaga” with the object ID 3032542 was last part of the auction 73rd tribal art auction at May 25, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 317 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,500.

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Comparing literature

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 60