This Fang statue depicts a bieri figure. Traditionally, these figures guarded the skulls of deceased ancestors. This piece measures 27 inches tall and weighs 6.5 pounds. One of the smaller figures legs has broken and there is cracking, scuffing and wear and tear throughout – please inspect photos carefully.
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| Type of Object | Figure, statue |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Gabon |
| Ethnicity | Fang |
| Material | Wood, pigment and vegetable fiber |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 27" |
| Width (Inches) | 10" |
| Depth (Inches) | 10" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 6.5 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Smaller figure has broken leg. Cracking, scuffing and wear and tear. |
| Tribe Information |
Tribe Information
About the Fang People
“Fang tribespeople migrated from the north-west during the 18th and 19th centuries and are today scattered across southern Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. They are principally hunters, but also farm. Fang social structure is based on the clan, a group of individuals with a common ancestor, and on the family. They also maintain tribal cohesion through the So and Gil societies. Each family possessed a Byeri, or reliquary box, in which the bones of famous ancestors were kept. The box was kept by the Esa, the eldest man in the family. “
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.
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