Mabuh mask – Wood – Bafum – Cameroon

Wonderful wooden Bafum mask from Cameroon. In all the kingdoms of the northern grasslands, “mabuh” is the “runner’s mask” of the influential and feared “kwifon” society. It represents the society at public events and to this day performs a wide variety of tasks on its behalf.

“Mabuh” accompanies the “kwifon” when its members leave the palace. She then runs ahead of the “kwifon” procession and warns and drives away all non-members. She appears at the funerals of “kwifon” members and shows up at memorial services for the dead. Her other duties include settling disputes and citing the accused to “kwifon”.

To this day, “mabuh” is a mask respected and feared by all.

The masks always wear flat grooved headgear and a beard, which identifies them as a Fon or title-holder and is symbolic of their authority. “Mabuh” appears relatively often in public. Whoever meets her is forced to kneel down, otherwise one would provoke “mabuh”.
Including professional custom made stand.

Provenance: Manfred Schafer, former gallery owner from Ulm, Germany.

Object:	Mbuh mask
Ethnic group:	Bafum
Country:	Cameroon
Material:	Wood
Period:	Mid 20th century
Sold with stand:	Yes
Dimensions:	30x19x13 cm
Weight:	1600 gram
Condition:	Good condition, used with some signs of wear