Bamileke (Mbalekeo, Mileke), Grassland, Cameroon

Medicine Bowl. The most important Cameroon Grasslands kingdom in the south is the Bamileke circle (Batcham, Bandjoun, Bangwa, and others). The Bamileke are part of a larger cultural area known collectively as the Cameroon Grasslands. Within the Bamileke complex there are numerous smaller peoples who are loosely affiliated and share many similarities while retaining separate identities. Up to eight millions Bamileke spread over the plateaus, in communities that have from 50,000 to 100,000. They are organized into a hundred kingdoms. Every kingdom is headed by the king (fon), who represents god and the ancestors. The Bamileke are well known for the vigor and splendor of their art. This vessel decorated with human images was intended for medicines. Such bowls were used by diviners and medicine men. Two parts

Material: wood

Size:   22½”x12”x12”

Price:   $320+$44 (S&H)                                                   [#L2B9O539]