Very beautiful statue in wood, ochre and kaolin, which comes from the Bangwa (Bangoua) ethnic group of Cameroon

Height: 50 cm

The Bangwa People (Bangoua)

The Bangwa inhabit a region of the Grassland located to the west of the plateau that is home to the Bamun and the Bamiléké. They are organized into nine chiefdoms and belong to the cultural area of ​​the Bamiléké whose stylistic elements are found in their art.

Bangwa art

Bangwa art, which reflects the social life organized around the king and secret societies, is mainly composed of statuary whose major works are commemorative sculptures of kings, queens, princesses and titled servants, as well as the parents of twins.

The royal statues are guarded by members of the lefem society (a group of wealthy and powerful notables), who exhibit them on the occasion of funerals and royal cults during a liturgy linked to the protection of the kingdom, to the fertility or fertility of the land, during the annual propitiatory sacrifices, to bless and purify the kingdom.

Outside of these periods, they generally surround the king when he receives visitors.

The Bangwa statue

The sitting position and the number of bracelets show that this is a royal figure.

The use of ochre and the liberties taken with the proportions (disproportionate arms) are typical of Bangwa art