Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Funerary Figure
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.

Funerary Figure

Artist Bangwa peoples, Cameroon grassfields (Cameroonian)
DateEarly- to mid-20th century
MediumWood | Pigment
DimensionsOverall: 58 in. (147.3 cm)
ClassificationsAfrican art
Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Object number71.2407
Terms
  • Man
  • Africa
  • Cameroon
Collections
On View
On view
DescriptionFigure made of wood and pigment; made by the Bangwa, an ethnic group of the Cameroon Grasslands.

Label TextFunerary Figure Early- to mid-20th century Bangwa peoples, Cameroon grassfields Cameroon Wood Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.2407 Among the Bangwa peoples of western Cameroon, portrait sculptures such as this one were reserved only for royalty and those granted elite status by the king. While not intended to be a true likeness, Bangwa figures are carved to commemorate the individuals after whom they are named. The Lefem, a society of nobles, stores the statues until they are needed at funerals and coronations for rituals that ensure the smooth transition of power from one ruler to the next. Bangwa statues also are brought to sacred burial groves during the dry season. There they are used for rituals to honor spirits of the natural world in hopes of a prosperous growing season.
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Drum
Cameroon grassfields peoples
Early- to mid-20th century
New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.
Cap Mask
Kom peoples, Cameroon grassfields
Early- to mid-20th century
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Cap Mask
Kom peoples, Cameroon grassfields
Early- to mid-20th century
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Mask
Suku peoples
Early- to mid-20th century
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Face Mask
Dogon peoples
Early- to mid-20th century
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Hyena Mask
Bamana peoples
Early- to mid-20th century
Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2021.
Helmet Mask
Suku peoples
Early- to mid-20th century
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Headdress
Yoruba peoples
New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2008.
Tumba (Funerary Figure)
Basundi Peoples (Zaire)
19th century-20th century
Color corrected by Pat Cagney.
Reliquary Guardian Figure
Kota peoples
Early- mid-20th century
New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.
Face Mask
Edo peoples
Early- to mid-20th century
Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2020.
Reliquary Guardian Figure
Kota peoples
Early- mid-20th century
eMuseum
Copyright © eMuseum