Bamum Priest Bovine Skull Headdress

Bamum people, mid. or late 20th century, Cameroon Grasslands, Central Africa

Impressive Bamum priest or shaman's ceremonial headdress with large, partially overmodeled bovine skull embellished with cowrie shells and raffia. The Cameroon Grasslands is inhabited by a large number of related peoples. These peoples can be divided into three smaller subgroups: Bamum, Bamenda Tikar and Bamileke. Within these complexes there are numerous smaller ethnic groups. Bamum (called also Mom, Bamoun, Mum) are living in the Cameroon Grasslands, nearby the rivers Nbam and Nun. The Bamum people believe in a supreme god (Njinyi) who creates children, and who is everywhere and sees and hears everything. The Bamum doctors practise divination by interpreting the earth spider's manipulation of marked leaves. The Bamum believe that the ancestral spirits are embodied in the skulls of the deceased ancestors. The spirits of ancestors whose skulls are not preserved have nowhere to reside and may as a result cause trouble for the family. Recognizing the importance of the skull, representations of head are found in nearly all decorated utilitarian items and masks. 

Headdress are in good condition. Heavy skull are attached to the rattan basketry base with fabrics. Age-related wear. Signs of ceremionial use and handling over many years. Traces of white, red and deep dark brown pigments. Size approx. 28,5cm x 54,0cm x 26,0cm.

Provenance: Finnish private collection