Standing male ancestor figure "tadep" ·  Cameroon, Mambila · ID: 3042402

Description

wood, slightly encrusted brown patina, remains of pigments, typical details: zigzag-contour of the legs, pear-shaped body, the hand held up to the chin, min. dam., cracks, small missing parts, traces of abrasion, base;
figures like this were commonly described as ancestor representations or guardian figures. Rather, it would appear to be a ritual object connected with a healing association called “suàgà”. The local name of such sculptures would be “tadep”. Usually these were male-female pairs. Together with other “suàgà” paraphernalia, they were stored in granaries.

Comparing literature

Gebauer, Paul, Art of Cameroon, New York 1979, p. 213