Tribal Art

African art from South West Cameroon.
Sculpted by members of the secret societies of the Bafo or Bafaw in southwestern Cameroon, this female figure whose oversized face evokes raw art. A wide mouth discovers rows of sharp teeth, a bleached look appears exorbiity, and, placed high, the pavilions taken off circular ears attract attention. She is wearing a simple textile beret. The long bust is carried by stocky legs under a sagging posterior. Engraved patterns are associated with traditional ethnic scarifications or tattoos. Locally abraded matte patina. Desication cracks.
Usage unknown but probably related to a fertility cult.