Members of the Ngil society wore Fang masks and raffia costumes during the initiation of new members and the elongated mask was covered with kaolin, with a heart-shaped face.
The Fang people are known to attach objects to their figures such as presented in this example of a fetish figure with a long coiffure at its back. Attached to a calabash and having additional amulets, there is compactness in the form which is a…
This two-head figure joined at the cheeks is carved from wood with a dark brown patina overlaid with light orange-colored earth pigment. A carrying handle sits on top of the heads, covered with fabric and blue indigo dye. The base is woven like a…
A bulging woman sits atop the handle of this spoon. The spoon is made of carved wood with a red brown patina. A spoon such as with would be used to serve a ceremonial or community meal.
The social organization of the Fang people is structured around the family and individulas having common ancestry. Each family possessed a reliquary box referred to as a Byen, and this box was kept by the eldest man in the family known as Esa.…
A female reliquary figure sits on top of a box used for storing bones of ancestors, guarding it from undesirable visitors. The box and statue are made of carved wood with a dark red-brown patina. Carved on the outer sides of the box are Ngil society…