Cameroon grasslands
Bamum

Horn, Cowrie Shells, Fiber, Cloth
ca. Early 20th Century
Length: 13 inches
Aerophone – Lip Vibrated – Horn

Bamum traditionally carved side-blown trumpet/horn with wooden figural style face carved at the top as a finial. The open end is wrapped with cloth and encircled with cowrie shells looped on a piece of braided fiber. Shows signs of usage and age. Still plays well. The grassland region, in south-west Cameroon, is a hilly and mountainous area covered by an equatorial forest in the south and a savannah in the north.  The sultanate of BAMUN is ruled by a single, sacred king, known as the Fon, who resides in the capital Fumban. The artistic production of the people living in the grassland of Cameroon is closely associated with royal and societal ceremonies. Large figures, thrones and prestige paraphernalia are used by the king to assert his power.