BAMILEKE, CAMEROON
WOOD, HEIGHT 50CM

Most statues of the Bamileke as well as their neighbours, the Bamun and the Tikar were created for the royal household. The majority were ancestor figures or included the king, his wives and attendants.  This Hunters statue is quite unusual and demonstrates that hunters occupied a prestigious position in the Bamileke society. This  hunter used to carry a spear in the right hand, which together with a knife were the traditional hunting weapons. The statue is executed perfectly with  realistic detail and a tense stance ready to attack or defend himself. A strange phenomenon  are the oddly shaped feet which must have a deeper meaning which we are unaware of.