Buffalo Headdress Item Number: 1491/5 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Buffalo, or bush cow, headdress (or mask). The animal has a long narrow face, with tapered horns on its head that curve inward at the ends. The lower part of thehorns is decorated with a white cross-hatching design. The head of the animal has eyes carved in relief and outlined in white paint, small oval-shaped protruding ears, wide oval-shaped nostrils painted white in the centre, and a slightly open mouth with large white painted teeth.
History Of Use
Also sometimes referred to as a buffalo mask or bush-cow mask.
Iconographic Meaning
The buffalo symbolizes power, strength and ferocity and is evocative of royal patronage. Four or five buffalo masks, often worn by royal retainers as signs of loyalty, always accompany masqueraders at death and harvest ceremonies, and during state processions. Blue trade beads in particular are also associated with royalty.
Item History
- Made in Cameroon before 1960
- Collected before 1960
- Owned by Doug E. Chaffee before October 21, 1991
- Received from Doug E. Chaffee (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on October 21, 1991
What
Who
- Culture
- Bamileke ?
- Previous Owner
- Doug E. Chaffee
- Received from
- Doug E. Chaffee (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Cameroon
When
- Creation Date
- before 1960
- Collection Date
- before 1960
- Ownership Date
- before October 21, 1991
- Acquisition Date
- on October 21, 1991
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1491/0005