<p>Among the various Bamileke kingdoms in the Grassfields region, porcupine quills are reserved for the king’s use. As part of a ceremonial hat like this example, the quills express the ruler’s sacred role. The king can apply his special powers and qualities, including the ability to capture and control animals and other natural elements, in order to protect himself and his people against external threats and to offer them support.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1901
- Dimensions
- 71.1 × 71.1 cm (28 × 28 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- Bamileke
Artist
Drawing
The Bamileke languages are a group of Eastern Grassfields languages spoken by the Bamileke people in the Western High Plateau of Cameroon.
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Record
Verified by WattsOSSource
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified