A dark wooden mask from the Kounden chiefdom in the Sultanate of Foumban, Cameroon, about 50 cm high. Its round-eyed face carries two curved tusks at the mouth, and two small animals sit on the curved horns above.

1. Form and Carving

The face is broad and heavily modelled. Large round eyes sit in raised, concentric rims, the nose is a bulbous ridge ending in a rounded tip, and the cheeks swell into two full masses on either side of the mouth. Pointed ears project sideways at brow height. Two curved tusks sweep down from the corners of the mouth and frame the chin. Above the forehead, two curved horns rise upward, and on each one a small crouching animal with a pointed snout is carved. The collection records the piece as a dung beetle mask.

2. Use and Context

According to the collection catalogue, the mask illustrates the idea that a person can change into another powerful, vigorous and wise creature. The catalogue adds that belief in such transformation is widespread in all social strata, not only among the peoples of the grasslands, and that rituals celebrating the change from human to animal are still held regularly.

3. Surface

The wood is dark brown, with reddish earthy residue gathered in the recesses around the eyes and along the horns. Cheeks, nose and tusks are smoother and slightly glossier. Fine scratches are visible on the forehead.

Summary

A dark Bamum mask from Kounden with round eyes, swollen cheeks and curved tusks, crowned by two horns that each carry a small animal.