African Arts Gallery

Rituals of justice and African masks Fang.
A triple rib shares the forehead of this mask, extending over the bridge of the nose. The eyelids and the philtrum surmounting the projection of pursed lips are hatched, accentuating the solemn aspect of the face.

Dense wood, dry abraded patina. Cracks of desiccation, erosions.
The appearance of these masks coated with kaolin (the white color evokes the power of the ancestors), in the middle of the night, could cause dread. This type of mask was used by the male ngil society in northwestern Gabon, southern Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. This secret society was in charge of initiations and fought against witchcraft.
Semi-matte two-tone patina. Abrasions.

Rare and old fang type mask, the center of which is coated with a pink ocher tint. Intended to unmask sorcerers, this type of African mask was carved on the eve of ceremonies. The austere physiognomy was meant to counter occult powers. Accompanied by words, gestures, dances and sacrifices, it also intervened during initiations out of sight of the profane. Matte grainy patina. Abrasions, cracks.
Among the Fang, established in a region extending from Yaoundé in Cameroon to Ogooué in Gabon, the appearance of these masks generally coated with kaolin (the white color evokes the power of the ancestors), in the middle of the night, could cause dread. This type of mask was used by the ngil religious and judicial male society which no longer exists today. This secret society was in charge ...

The anthropomorphic sculptures acting as "guardians" and embodying the ancestor illustrate the African art associated with the Byeri cult.
Male figure of an unusual type in the arrangement of the arms and the wicker rods and fragments of textile skilfully twisted around the limbs. The rest of the morphology remains classic. The face with metallic pupils, framed by flat braids, offers relatively realistic features. Eroded matte patina.
Among the Fang, 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. They were also used during ...

African ancestor sculpture, offering a head rising from a circular base, wearing a crest. Smooth black patina, 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 surmounted by a statue or a head which acted as guardian of the "byeri" boxes. These were kept in a dark corner of the hut, and were intended to divert evil influences to someone else. They were also used during initiation ceremonies for young people linked to the "So" society. The term Angokh means "full head of the ancestor" because they are representations of deceased chiefs. During festivals, the statues were separated from their boxes and ...

Ex. Belgian African art collection.
This African object testifies to the diversity of the decorative arts of the Fang: the carved janiform motif recalls the statuary surmounting the reliquary baskets. Anthropomorphic spoon-emblems are recurrent in tribal art. The spoon is also an emblem of social status, depending on the complexity of its shapes and decorative motifs.
Shiny oiled patina, reddish reflections.
The African art of the Byeri cult is illustrated by various anthropomorphic sculptures acting as "guardians" and embodying the ancestor. 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 ...

Fang type mask, carved on the eve of ceremonies, and whose intervention was accompanied by words, gestures, dances and sacrifices. He also appeared during initiations, out of sight of the profane, and pointed out the culprits of bad deeds within the village. Velvety matte patina, discreet native restorations (wickerwork), erosions, cracks.
The Fang, established in a region extending from Yaoundé in Cameroon to Ogooué in Gabon, have never had political unity. Clan cohesion was maintained through religious and judicial associations such as the so and the ngil. The appearance of masks generally coated with kaolin (the white color evokes the power of the ancestors), in the middle of the night, could cause dread. The ngil male secret society, which no longer exists today, was in charge ...

Fang-type prestige scepter, offering an anthropomorphic figure associated with the worship of the ancestors of the Byeri. Sculpted with skill, the piece features a young woman with a long bust framed by bent arms whose hands rest under her breasts. The curved legs rise, semi-flexed, from a rounded base that extends the handle. The face is shaped like a heart in the center of a spherical head.
Shiny patina, cracks.
Among the Fang, the relics of the most remarkable ancestors were kept in cylindrical bark boxes near the couch of the head of the lineage, initiate of the family cult of Byéri. Surmounted by a human effigy which affirmed their identity, they contributed to the protection of their descendants. The initiation rites, forbidden to women and children, took place under ...

Among the large African masks, this type of African mask with a severe face, intended to unmask sorcerers, was carved on the eve of ceremonies. Accompanied by words, gestures, dances and sacrifices, it also intervened during initiations out of sight of the profane. Clear matte patina. Abrasions, small accidents.
Among the Fang, established in a region extending from Yaoundé in Cameroon to Ogooué in Gabon, the appearance of these masks generally coated with kaolin (the white color evokes the power of the ancestors), in the middle of the night, could cause dread. This type of mask was used by the ngil religious and judicial male society which no longer exists today. This secret society was in charge of initiations and fought against witchcraft. The ngil was a rite of purifying fire ...

Among the Fang and the Ntumu of southern Cameroon, on the occasion of the so or red antelope ceremonies marking the initiation of young people, this type of African mask with horns was used. Its appearance did not fail, during its nocturnal appearances, to provoke a certain emotion among the initiates. Desication erosions and cracks.
The Fang, formerly called Pahouins, are divided into several subsets in three countries, Cameroon, Gabon, and the mainland of Equatorial Guinea. Mainly hunters, they also practice agriculture. Their social cohesion is based on the Ngil and So societies, a lunar rite. The ngil was a rite of purifying fire symbolized by the gorilla. The wearers of these masks, always in large numbers, appeared at night, lit by torches. Their intervention was also ...

Intended to unmask sorcerers in order to counter occult powers, this figurative style version of the African fang mask intervened accompanied by words, gestures, dances and sacrifices. He also appeared during initiations out of sight of the profane. Semi-matte patina. Minimal abrasions.
The appearance of these masks generally coated with kaolin (the white color evokes the power of the ancestors), in the middle of the night, could cause terror. This type of mask was used by the ngil male society which no longer exists today. This secret society was in charge of initiations and fought against witchcraft. The ngil was a rite of purifying fire symbolized by the gorilla. Guarantor of peace, he also fixed the seasons, the location where the villages were to be established, and the ...

The African statuary belonging to the Byeri cult consists of anthropomorphic sculptures embodying the ancestor and acting as "guardians".
Carried by chubby legs, the subject with the long torso joins his fingers face at the bust. The bulging pupils symbolize trance.
Shiny patina, kaolin residue, minor erosions.

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 surmounted by a statue or a head which acted as guardian of the "byeri" boxes. These were kept in a dark corner of the hut, and were intended to divert evil influences to someone else. They were also used during initiation ceremonies ...

African Tribal Art and Funeral Rites
This Fang head with metal pupils, offering a concave face lodged under a rounded forehead and a horizontal pout, was placed on the reliquary box constituting in a way its bust. Oiled golden brown patina, eroded wood.
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 surmounted by a statue or head which acted as guardian of the "byeri" boxes. These were kept in a dark corner of the hut, and were intended to divert evil influences to someone else. They were also used during initiation ceremonies for young people linked to the "So" society. The term Angokh means "full ...

African art among the Fang.

Formerly called Pahouins, the Fang constitute a very large ethnic group settled, following migrations, in Central Africa, in the three republics of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. In the shape of a barrel, this mask offers four scarified faces, endowed with stylized human features, and eyebrows in continuous perforations. Linked to ancestor worship, the Byéri, this mask was responsible for discerning troublemakers, especially sorcerers. It comes out these days for entertainment parties. He now also appears at parties, funerals, baby showers, and on the occasion of an important decision within the village. It was also worn by Fang Okak and Ntoumou, Ntumu men from Equatorial Guinea during a dance associated with the Byeri cult. It sometimes ...

African art among the Fang.

Formerly called Pahouins, the Fang form a very large ethnic group settled, following migrations, in Central Africa, in the three republics of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. In the shape of a barrel, this mask offers, framed by thick ears, stylized human features and eyebrows in continuous perforations. At the top, the circular headdress allowed the insertion of large feathers. Linked to ancestor worship, the Byéri, this mask was responsible for discerning troublemakers, especially sorcerers. It comes out these days for entertainment parties. He now also appears at parties, funerals, baby showers, and on the occasion of an important decision within the village. It was also worn by Fang Okak and Ntoumou, Ntumu men from Equatorial Guinea ...

Intended to unmask sorcerers, this type of mask was carved on the eve of ceremonies. The austere physiognomy was meant to counter occult powers. Accompanied by words, gestures, dances and sacrifices, it also intervened during initiations out of sight of the profane. Velvety matte patina. Erosions, chips.
The appearance of these masks generally coated with kaolin (the white color evokes the power of the ancestors), in the middle of the night, could cause terror. This type of mask was used by the ngil male society which no longer exists today. This secret society was in charge of initiations and fought against witchcraft. The ngil was a rite of purifying fire symbolized by the gorilla. Guarantor of peace, he also fixed the seasons, the location where the villages were to be ...

br>Belonging to a Fang lineage, this receptacle with high cylindrical bark walls is now devoid of ancestor relics. The carefully detailed male figure symbolizes the latter. A second, noticeably different subject adorns the outer wall. Patina of use. Among the Fang of Cameroon and those of 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 surmounted by a statue or a head which acted as guardian of the "byeri" boxes. These, intended to deflect evil influences, were kept in the hut. They were also used during initiation ceremonies for young people linked to the "So" society. During festivals, the statues could be separated from their boxes and ...

Reliquary guardians in the African tribal art of Gabon.
This brilliantly stylized male figure embodies the spirit of an ancestor. This tribal sculpture, kept by the esa, the oldest man in the family, was intended for a reliquary in which the bones of the ancestors were kept. Satin black patina. Erosions and cracks concentrated on the cap.
The relics of the most remarkable ancestors were kept in cylindrical bark boxes near the bed of the lineage chief, initiate of the Byéri family cult. Surmounted by a human effigy which affirmed their identity, they contributed to the protection of their descendants thanks to regular sacrifices. The initiation rites, forbidden to women and children, took place under the influence of a hallucinogenic substance, Alan, borrowed from the ...

This sculpted figure of head Fang offers a face marked with the austere pout characteristic of these sculptures of ancestors. The neck was introduced into the reliquary basket. Grainy patina, resinous residues, indigenous restoration.
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 surmounted by a statue or head which acted as guardian of the "byeri" boxes. These were kept in a dark corner of the hut, and were intended to divert evil influences to someone else. They were also used during initiation ceremonies for young people linked to the "So" society. The term Angokh means "full head of the ancestor" ...

The statues associated with the Byeri cult are illustrated by anthropomorphic sculptures embodying the ancestor and acting as "guardians".
Carried by half-flexed legs with salient muscles, the subject bends under the load of a basket basketry. Beneath a bouquet of feathers, the bulging gaze indicates a state of trance.
Shiny patina, minor cracking, old foot restorations.

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 surmounted by a statue or a head which acted as guardian of the "byeri" boxes. These were kept in a dark corner of the hut, and were intended to divert evil influences to ...

This African mask of the Fang illustrates one of the many stylistic variations of the Fang masks of the Ngil, distinguished by their austere physiognomy. The crested hairstyle takes up one of the many models once worn by the Fang. Locally abraded bleached patina, colored highlights. Erosions and cracks.
The appearance of these masks generally coated with kaolin (the white color evokes the power of the ancestors), in the middle of the night, could cause terror. This type of mask was used by the male ngil society which no longer exists today. This secret society was in charge of initiations and fought against witchcraft. The ngil was a rite of purifying fire symbolized by the gorilla. The wearers of these masks, always in large numbers, appeared at night, lit by torches. Their ...

Intended to unmask sorcerers, this type of African mask endowed with a severe physiognomy, was carved on the eve of ceremonies. Accompanied by words, gestures, dances and sacrifices, it also intervened during initiations out of sight of the profane. Matte grainy patina. Minimal abrasions, red ocher highlights, minor losses.
The appearance of these masks generally coated with kaolin (the white color evokes the power of the ancestors), in the middle of the night, could cause terror. This type of mask was used by the ngil male society which no longer exists today. This secret society was in charge of initiations and fought against witchcraft. The ngil, among the Fang of the region extending from Yaoundé in Cameroon to Ogooué in Gabon, was a rite of purifying fire symbolized by the ...