Grassland, Cameroon

Figure of a Fon. The grassland region, in south-west Cameroon, is a hilly and mountainous area covered by an equatorial forest in the south and a savannah in the north. The area is divided into many small independent kingdoms and chiefdoms, headed by fons, whose powers are counterbalanced by male and female societies. The Fon (more a king than a chief) in each chiefdom has reached the pick of the hierarchy of all brotherhoods and with the magical power ascribed to him he is supposed to transform himself into a panther, a buffalo, a python or an elephant. His power is also based on military strength, which enables him on occasion to annex a weaker neighboring chiefdom and to gain payment of a tribute which will help to maintain the wealth of the court. This figure represents a sitting man whose ceremonial feather headdress and ritual vase held in his hands, indicates that he is a Fon.

Material:  wood, feathers

Size:  H. 24”, W. 7”, D. 7”

Price: $290 + $41 (S&H)                              [#S5G9S223]