African Arts Gallery

The African statues Fang within African art linked to the cult of Byeri.
This anthropomorphic sculpture, intended to be placed on a reliquary basket, offers a model suggesting a powerful musculature, emphasizing in particular the calves. A double crest caps the ovoid head, where the nose and mouth are inscribed in relief under the metal pupils. The hands are joined in front of the navel in tenon. Black patina revealing golden wood. Cracks and abrasions, lacks on the feet.
The boxes containing the relics of illustrious ancestors were guarded by the oldest man in the village, the "esa". Surmounted by a statue or a head that acted as guardian of the "byeri" boxes, they were stored in a dark corner of the hut, supposed to divert evil influences towards someone else. Samples were also taken from the figures for therapeutic purposes. They were also used during initiation ceremonies for young people linked to the "So" society. During festivals, the statues were separated from their boxes and carried in parade.