Helmet Crest Ngoin Mask from Cameroon Africa

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This Helmet Crest mask is categorized as a “Babanki” style Ngoin mask from Northwestern provinces of Cameroon circa first half … Read more This Helmet Crest mask is categorized as a “Babanki” style Ngoin mask from Northwestern provinces of Cameroon circa first half of 20th century. In part of highland area called “Cameroon Grassfield”, Ngoin masks are among an ensemble of over 20 masks paraded in memorial ceremonies for important deceased persons in the Kingdoms of Cameroon Grassland (including Bafut, Bekon, Big Babanki, Ndop, Oku etc). These parades are normally led by a male mask called Kam which is worn flat on the head and followed by Ngoins as well as other masks. Nogin is worn as a helmet crest with an attached sheet of thin cloth that conceals the dancer’s head. The dancer’s outfit consists of a loose cotton garment often dyed bluish white and a fly switch. The gender of the mask is hard to be determined by the facial features as both male and female mask share indistinguishable characteristics. However, the coiffure of the mask is able to suggest the gender. This Nogin mask is likely to be a male based on the knotted hair style and the bear under the chin.
The mask displays typical features of Babanki style which include wide-spaced eyebrows with an engraved contour, the almond-shaped eyes outlined with white border that closely flanks the top of the nose ridge, the triangular notches of the nostril meeting at the tip of the nose and an open mouth displaying the filed teeth.
The carving of this mask is impressive. A shining blackish-brown patina is throughout the mask with residues of white pigment outlining the eyes. There is old damage as well as crack line to one side of the mask, likely due to the repeated native usage. There are two old stickers inside with illegible numbers and characters suggesting a collection history. Based on this condition, the mask can be conservatively dated to early 20th century. The mask itself is about 15" high and is nicely displayed on a black metal stand.
Reference: For a similar mask, see page 62 of African Masks the Barbier-Mueller Collection Cameroon Art and Kings Museum Rietberg Zurich See less