African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Fang sculpture

Fang sculpture (N° 29708)

This type of Fang sculpture embodying a prestigious ancestor was enthroned on reliquary baskets. Shiny patina, desiccation cracks.
Among the Fang of Cameroon and Gabon, each family has a "Byeri", or reliquary box, in which the bones of the ancestors are kept. These boxes were guarded by the oldest man in the village, the "esa". The reliquary boxes were topped with a statue or head that acted as guardian of the "byeri" boxes. They were also used during initiation ceremonies for young people linked to the "So" society. The term Angokh nlo byeri means "head alone of the ancestor", as opposed to statues. During festivals, the statues were separated from their boxes and carried in parades, brandished like puppets.  

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OriginEx-collection française
EthnyFang
Countrygabon
Material(s)wood, metal
Height cm35
Width14 cm
Weight2.15 Kg
Socle includedYes

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