CAMEROON, AFRICA

Royal Stool
Bali Kingdom, Grassfields, Cameroon, 1916

From 1884, Cameroon had been a German protectorate but during the 1914-18 World War it was divided between the British and French.
This royal leopard stool belonged to the Fon or ‘King’ of the Bali kingdom.
In 1916 he gave it to King George V as a diplomatic gift.


Royal Helmet Mask


Bamum, Cameroon, late 19th or early 20th century



This royal mask has a prestigious beaded cap.
A royal official would wear it at the annual public festival that marked the end of the main harvest. It was brought to Liverpool by a member of the Holt family who were involved in the West African trade from the 1860s.



Buffalo Mask

Duala, Cameroon, before 1908
This mask may have been intended to portray Njona – a dangerous water spirit that resembles a buffalo. It would have been worn with a costume by members of the male initiation associations called Losango. The masker would have appeared in public at funeral ceremonies and to perform policing functions within the community.

The Kingdoms

There were many independent kingdoms in the Grassfields.

Each king’s power was balanced by councils of nobles and palace masquerade associations. These palace institutions still function today in many kingdoms.
Complex trade relationships encouraged craftspeople to develop special skills in different areas of the Grassfields.

Kings often commissioned stools and other royal objects from craftspeople in other kingdoms.
Trade routes linked the Grassfields with the Cameroon coast.

Since the 17th century, the Duala acted as middlemen between Europeans and groups inland. They initially transported ivory, then slaves and then palm oil, down river to European ships anchored off the coast.

They distributed European goods, like guns, gunpowder and beads up river along the same routes. Prosperous traders became spokesmen and leaders.

Their families were raised to positions of influence and helped change Duala society.