Mask
Mambila
Description
Subject Matter:
Human and animal features come together in masks for Mambila men's sùàgà masquerade to celebrate male fertility. Sùàgà can best be described as a set of related masquerades and oaths performed in part to resolve local disputes. While both aspects are important, the imagery of the masks reinforce the ideas seen in the oaths. Men's sùàgà has carved masks worn horizontally on the head, sometimes accompanied by fiber costumes. Although different masks are given different names, some are called sùàgà due and sùàgà bur. While it is not clear what kind of animal is portrayed here, similar masks have been described as depicting a crow.
References Cited:
Gebauer, Paul. 1979. Art of Cameroon. Portland, Or.: Portland Art Museum.
Zeitlyn, David. 1994. "Mambila Figurines and Masquerades: Problems of Interpretation." African Arts, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 38-47+94.
Physical Description:
A wooden mask with zoomorphic features. The mouth is in the form of elongated lips, resembling an open beak. Each eye is formed by a short rod in front of a small rectangular projection. Behind the eyes are triangular ears. At the back of the head are two curved projections. The mask is painted red, white and black with a brown feather at the top of the head.
Usage Rights:
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