Grasslands Cameroon
Tikar

Bronze
Mid 20th Century
Length: 15.5 inches; Diameter: 5 inches
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Rattle

This is a heavy Tikar bronze ceremonial rattle cast in a sphere form with a female figural handle.  The chiefs of the Cameroonian Grasslands, the FON, valued the metalworking founders, who cast treasures of works of art, such as bracelets, statues, bells, and rattles. Their workings are some of the most elaborate, intricate, and lavishly detailed pieces in all of Africa.  According to Yuri Raskins:  “This Tikar bronze rattle/bell was most likely property of the Queen.  She would take it in hand and ring/shake it often while sitting or dancing at public festive ceremonies. The people would be comforted by this action for it was perceived that the King and Queen, as part of their duty, were in charge of the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of the people.  The royalty had also, been given the special power of being able to see spirits and other worldly beings good and bad that ordinary citizens could not. The Queen used this bell/rattle to ward off malevolent forces that would try to do harm to her subjects while gathering. Thus, she would wave the bell/rattle around periodically keeping evil at bay. Her subjects seeing this being done would know that they are well protected.”