A tall, dark wooden staff from the Makam Chiefdom. The shaft is carved with bands of ornament and ends in a small standing figure.

1. Form and Carving

The shaft is long and slender, polished dark brown, and carved in several zones: ribbed bands, a section of diagonal hatching, a zigzag line and further ring-like grooves. At the top, a small figure stands slightly bent in the knees on a square plinth. It has large, round eyes, a rounded cap-like headdress edged with small knobs, and holds a vessel-like object with both hands at the belly. The head is large in proportion to the body. The carving is concentrated at the top, so that the eye is drawn upward to the figure.

2. Use and Context

According to the collection catalogue, the Makam Chiefdom does not spread out over a large area, and the population density is rather low due to the mountainous and partly difficultly accessible terrain, so the chiefdom is not of high political importance. Nevertheless, its head could very well own a dignitary staff that outwardly shows him as a powerful chief. The catalogue describes a richly decorated staff with a finely carved small figure on top, with all the attributes typical of the Bamum. Such a staff was carried by the chief personally, but only at big festivals or visits of important guests, as an external sign of dignity as well as power.

3. Surface and Wear

The wood is dark brown with a smooth, satin surface and a slightly lighter, worn zone along the shaft. The figure is darker and glossier, with fine light traces in the recesses. The foot of the staff is capped.

Summary

A dark wooden dignitary staff with carved bands and a small standing figure on top, carried by the chief at major festivals.