Fang Reliquary Figure (Eyema-o-Byeri)

Reliquary figure (Eyema-o-Byeri) Fang peoples (southern Cameroon). c. 19th to 20th century C.E. Wood.

• wooden sculpture; reliquary; talisman; warned off harm; warning to others; guardian of family bones, sacred relics; meant for high status; noble person; special warriors, talented craftsmen; fertile women; nomadic/semi-nomadic; elderly men consulted them when a great decision was to be made
• elongated torso; large rounded head; closed mouth, eyes looking down; arms clasped; powerful musculature; calm and contemplative; power and strength; coiled up energy; umbilical cord/belly button highlighted; childbirth/fertility valued in society 
• puppets during an initiation; figures presented as symbols of unity of the clan; popular hairstyle; high status; intentionally not natural; meant to represent spiritual ideas; abstract 
• limbs very cylindrical and rounded; conceptual; idea of a guardian figure; realism not an interest; ward of people; guardian of an important box/relic/etc.