Bamileke (Mbalekeo, Mileke), Grassland, Cameroon

Seremonial Mask. Up to eight millions Bamileke spread over the plateaus, in communities that have from 50,000 to 100,000. 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. They are organized into a hundred kingdoms. The various societies had their masks. Most of the kingdoms used animal and male human masks. The masks are primarily worn during state ceremonies such as the funeral of an important dignitary, or during annual festivities. This rather unusual mask came from one of the Bamileke kingdoms. The specific function of this mask is unknown.

Material: wood

Size: 14½”x10½”x 6”

Price:   $245+$23 (S&H)                                                   [#L6B8M633]