FANG, GABON
TREE BARK, HEIGHT 50CM

A superbly grafted tree bark container. It used to contain relics like teeth,  bones, finger nails, and other items of the deceased. The box was usually looked after by the eldest male in the family unit. The regular reliquary cult with initiation parades was disbanded in the 1930’s, but many families kept the statues and to a lesser extend the boxes. This particular box was used to house a very old Byeri statue and a raffia skirt, similar to skirts  worn by women during dances. The skirt was wrapped around the statue and displayed at various functions until quite recently.