Bangwa mask, Cameroon, c. 1960

The Bangwa territory in the south-west of Grassland is divided into several small autonomous kingdoms in which the rulers exercise their power with the help of the nine senior members of the most important secret society: Troh. These men ensure the maintenance of social order by punishing evildoers and persecuting wizards and witches. Each of the 9 dignitaries of the kingdom has a mask, a symbol of his power, which is considered very dangerous and handled with infinite precautions, respecting specific ritual rules. Although it is designed as a crest mask, it is worn on the shoulder to avoid contact with the head. Height: 40 cm Reproduced: Catalogue “Africa Babel: the Art of a Continent”, p. 208
 
Exhibitions:
2022-2024 Island of Fuerteventura “Art Africa: Ancestral Light”. Lighthouse of the Entallada. Cabildo of Fuerteventura.
2021-2022 Panama City. Government of Panama. “Art Africa: the spirit of the ancestors”. Ministry of Culture Headquarters. Casco Viejo.
2019-2020 Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Caja Canarias Foundation. “Africa-Babel: the art of a Continent”. Headquarters Plaza Patriotismo.
2013-2015 Museum of Art of Africa and Oceania (Madao). La Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia.
2005 “Black Africa”, Leather Museum.
2004 “Black Africa”. Caixa Laietana Foundation, Barcelona. Main exhibition hall