Figure debout

wood, greyish brown patina, plant fibre, encrusted sacrificial patina, expressive facial features ("screaming" mouth), oval deepening on the backside, min. dam., cracks, traces of abrasion, base.
The Kaka live south of the Donga River in the Grassfields of Cameroon in direct neighbourhood to the Mambila settling in Nigeria. Little is known about the Kaka, or about the purpose of their highly expressive figures. They are placed in shrines and receive many sacrificial offerings (as can be seen from the patina) and protect against evil spirits and witchcraft.