Standing female figure · Cameroon, Mambila · ID: 3036925
Description
wood, partly encrusted dark brown patina, remains of pigments, heart-shaped facial plane with big eyes and open mouth, rep. (breakage left arm, right foot, head), small missing parts, cracks, base;
in Fulani language Mambila means “humans”, while they call themselves “nor”. They had no kingship and no central power, but a village chief, who was supported by the so-called “mimin” society. They believed in the Maker, whom they used to call “nama” or “chang”, but a cult only existed for family ancestors. Most of their figures are representations of the deceased.
The object Standing female figure with the object ID 3036925 was last part of the auction 77th tribal art auction at June 28, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 421.
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Comparing literature
Gebauer, Paul, Art of Cameroon, New York 1979, p. 213