Headcrest in the form of a simian

The expressionist and aggressive qualities of Cameroon sculpture are well represented by the forms of this mask.  It was made for use by the kweifo society of men, a regulatory society that maintains justice and appears at funerals of its prominent members.  The crest represents a simian, most like a baboon. Dressed in a tunic covered with feathers and whistling like a bird this masker is Mabu, a creature from the bush that heralds the imminent arrival of Nko', a masker that spreads fear and terror. Such masks are common in the Fumgom region of the Cameroon Grassfields and can be found in many of its smallchiefdoms, among them Aghem (also known as Wum), Weh, and Isu.