Continental Equatorial Guinea. Gabon, and Coastal Region of Cameroon
Fang

Wood. rattan, seeds, kaolin pigment
Early 20th Century
Length: 15.5 in, Width: 3.5 in, Depth: 3.5 in
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken -Rattle

The Fang are traditionally farmers and hunters, but became major cocoa farmers during the colonial era.  Under French colonial rule, they converted to Christianity. However, after independence their interest in their own traditional religion, called Biere, also spelled Byeri, has returned, and many practice syncretic ideas and rites.  The term ‘Byeri’ refers to both worship and related objects.  Possibly the Ntumu artists of the Fang people carved this wooden finial figure of a chimpanzee on top of this wicker rattle.  It shows stylistic facial features of a chimpanzee with red pigment painted in his nose, and an elongated body with  long arms and hind legs perched upon a stick.  The function of this rattle is not known.  There are signs of usage and age.