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Commemorative figure (lefem)
probably carved by Ateu Atsa (Bangwa, c. 1840–1910)
mid-1800s–1910
- Medium
- wood
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Dimensions
- Overall: 92.1 x 20.3 cm (36 1/4 x 8 in.)
- Culture
- Africa, Central Africa, Cameroon, Bangwa Kingdom
- Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art, African Art
- Credit line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
- Rights
- Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed
View at the Cleveland Museum of Art
About this work
Carved during their subject's lifetime, such idealized portraits function as their living stand-ins or intermediaries. Adorned with royal attire consisting of a bristled cloth cap, beaded necklace, pleated loincloth, drinking horn, and now-broken pipe, this figure was carved as a commemorative portrait of a historical king or high dignitary. It was kept by a secret association called Lefem, whose members gathered weekly in a sacred space in the forest to discuss matters related to the kingdom's welfare. Placed in a royal shrine, the figure witnessed sacrifices made to the skulls of the chief’s ancestors. Meant to safeguard the kingdom and protect the fecundity of its inhabitants, it was also exhibited during funerals and royal ceremonies.
