Janus-faced head crest ·  Cameroon, Upper Cross River, Keaka (Ekoi Komplex) · ID: 3048941

Description

wood, animal skin, human hair, tin plate, wickerwork,
For two comparable dance crests see AHDRC 0090515 and 0090525.

Hunting associations were widespread in the Cross River area until recent times. A man could only achieve membership in such an organization once he had slain a wild animal. Such establishments often used such head crests in performances at specific times of the hunting year, and at the funerals of members of the society.