Helmet mask, female type "ngoin"
Prairie Camerounaise, Bamum
n'est plus disponible
Provenance
Ludwig Bretschneider, Munich, GermanyTaille
H: 45 cm
H: 17.7 inch
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, kaolin, high towering coiffure with opening in the parting, closed by an inserted piece of wood, drilled holes for attachment of ornament, slightly dam., vertical fine cracks, abrasion of paint;
the “ngoin” mask performed together with a whole group of masks belonging to one lineage, always following a male leader mask. Lineage masks perform publicly at the commemorative death celebrations of Fons and title-holders and at the kingdoms annual dance, a high point of celebration during the festive cycle of the dry season.