Tribal Art

Monegasque Collection of African Tribal Art Inventively designed, mumuye sculptures vary in detail. The particularly stretched bust tightens to free up space for slender arms extended by large fingered hands. The abdominal projection, in beak, overhangs a marked size. The block of the pelvis lets spring the angles of long legs equipped with hoofed feet. The head, framed by a crest and ample distended ears, offers a classical physiognomy. Semi-satin patina of use, erosions and desication cracks.
In the northwestern region of the middle Benoué, from the Kona Jukun, to the Mumuye and up to the Wurkun populations, the 100,000 speakers of the Adamawa language stand out, forming a group called Mumuye. They are divided into two groups: those of fire (tjokwa), guardians of the vabong cult, from among whom the chiefs are elected, and those of water, (tjozoza), linked to humidity and the color white. It is from among the latter that the priests of the rain are chosen, initiates of the vadosong cult. Their iagalagana statues were stored in a box, tsafi, reserved for this purpose, while another box, java, housed an individual with magical powers and surrounding himself with ritual objects linked to his function and his prestige.