Product Description
Chamba Mama, Bush Cow figure – Nigeria
This extremely rare Mama Bush Cow in full figure is a classic example of a traditional African figure created by the Mama people who live in the interior of Nigeria in the Benue River Valley north of the Jos plateau.
Made of 100% wood, camwood, pigment.
Model is W 51 – H 15 and weight 3 kg.
Description
This extremely rare Mama Bush Cow in full figure is a classic example of a traditional African figure created by the Mama people who live in the interior of Nigeria in the Benue River Valley north of the Jos plateau. The Mama buffalo-headed male sculptural carving represents a highly stylized wooden zoomorphic head of a bush-league cow. This dynamic figure (mangam) is, essentially, an abstract tripartite form consisting of a dome-like cap, a circular rack of horns and an elongated, protruding mouth below, merging into a sculpture that brings to mind the classic Mumuye style. The horizontally worn headdresses symbolize a protective bush-league spirit and emphasize the characteristics of their abstraction from natural referents to an actual bush cow attest to the genius employed in its creation. This figure’s composition is the result of a sophisticated imagination, one that takes the complex and makes it deceptively simple. Carved from a hardwood and coated with a liberal amount of red pigment (camwood) and in very fine condition.
Chamba statue is not very common and their role is little known but it has been reported that figures such as this are used in a cult activity known as Jup that is in the main dominated by men or in the case of women, Jem. They often have a rich patina and a highly schematized sculptural form. They share some common features with masks of the neighboring Mumuye. The head features a projectile like in the middle. Certain Chamba statues are meant to allow communication with the spirit world. In the fields, the Chamba placed small statues, fixed in place with metal spikes, in order to be protected or healed from snake bites.
The Chamba are a small group today living south of the Benue River in Northern Nigeria in an area of mixed art and influences. Their sculptures show stylistic affinities to the and Jukun, Wurkum and Mumuye to the to the south of the River Benoue, resulting in an exchange of sculptures and styles through time between these groups. This is a good example of Chamba sculpture: The cubist style of the body and the bold rounded head with a heart-shaped face are more likely of Chamba style. The surface shows much handling and some age.
They are spread out over a number of small kingdoms and ruled over by a king that has ultimate power over his subjects, whilst at the same time being assisted by a council of elders comprised of chiefs of lineage. The king, considered as the sun’s son, could not come out after sunset, to which a cult was dedicated mainly to obtain abundant rainfall. This royal power is counterbalanced by the existence of both masculine and feminine secret societies.
Additional information
| Weight | 3 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 51 × 15 cm |
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