Male mask "kam" ·  Cameroon Grassfields, Babanki · ID: 3042295

Description

wood, matt brown patina, coiffure in two lobes and beard from real hair, mouth with single carved teeth and the eyes whitened with kaolin, slightly dam. (nose), missing parts (mouth, backside at the rim), coated with fine cracks, insect caused damage, traces of old age;
in the northwestern area of the Cameroon grassfields every village and every town has their own group of “juju” dancers. They perform at death celebrations and at festivities in honour of the ancestors. Their leader wears a mask like the present, which is called “kam”, “nkam” or “akam”. The mask is worn flat on the head of the dancer, who always has to bend forward, so that the mask face can look at the spectators. The dancer wears a long garment and two staffs as emblems of strength and authority.

Comparing literature

Northern, Tamara, The Art of Cameroon, Washington D.C. 1984, p. 144 f.