Mask "nkoh" of the "kungan" society ·  Cameroon Grassfields, Bamileke · ID: 3037657

Description

wood, brown patina, painted over for several times, in some places the paint peeled off, so that the colours of various layers became visisble (yellow, red, black), aggressive expression on the face, with the open mouth revealing strong teeth, slightly dam., minor missing parts (nose tip, mouth, ears), larger missing parts backside at the rim, traces of old age and usage;
one of the most dangerous and ferocious Bamileke masks, just used on occasion of big festivities. During the perfomance the mask was fixed by ropes and sprinkled with water in order to calm its aggressiveness. “Kungan” is a kind of religious society, led by nine priests, responsible for healing and truth telling.