Mu'po anthropozomorphic statuette for magical use, the property of diviners and healers, most of whom were members of the Ku'ngan secret society. These statuettes most often had a protective function against disease or evil spirits...

They generally come from the centre of Bamileke country, in particular from the chiefdoms of Batié, Bamunam and Bangwa. The Bamikele are a people who live in western Cameroon, in a region of savannah on the grassland's volcanic high plateaux.

Pierre Harter (1928 - 1991) was a French doctor specialising in tropical pathology. He spent more than 30 years in Cameroon, where he received numerous objects in gratitude for his care, many of which he bequeathed to the MAAO (formerly the Musée de la Porte Dorée).Plateau Bamikélé - Cameroon

wood, height 16.5 cm

late 19th, early 20th century

Provenance Pierre Harter , Paris