Bamileke. <em>Kuosi Society Elephant Mask</em>, 20th century. Cloth, beads, raffia, fiber, 57 3/4 x 20 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (146.7 x 52.1 x 29.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Milton F. Rosenthal, 81.170. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 81.170_detail_SL1.jpg)

Bamileke. Kuosi Society Elephant Mask, 20th century. Cloth, beads, raffia, fiber, 57 3/4 x 20 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (146.7 x 52.1 x 29.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Milton F. Rosenthal, 81.170. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 81.170_detail_SL1.jpg)

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This mask did not have a description, and I was wondering what it might have been used for

That mask is meant to resemble the head of an elephant -- can you see how the round pieces suggest ears, and the long flap stands in for a trunk?

This mask would have been worn in a dance/masquerade. Elephants are symbols of political power in the Cameroon grasslands, where this piece was made.

One more note: the person who wore this would have also worn a complete costume including a long tunic and a headdress. Complete costumes are very rare -- even the masks are rare, so we're fortunate to have this one!

Did the people of Cameroon have glass beads before European contact?

While glass beads might not have been made in the region, they were produced in other parts of Africa and there were extensive trade networks in western Cameroon that reached throughout Africa and into the Middle East.

Imported beads were a status symbol. So their use, rather than locally produced beads from other materials, conveyed wealth and luxury.

Tell me more.

This elaborate elephant mask is something that could only be worn by members of the Kuosi society. The imported glass beads used to make this mask were highly prized and costly. Scholars believe that the repeated triangle pattern is an allusion to the pattern of a leopard making this a somewhat hybrid mask.

The accompanying costume for this mask would have consisted of an indigo dyed tunic, fur trimmings, beaded vests and belts, and horsetail fly whisks. Many times these are also worn with a large red headdress made of fathers from the African gray parrot.

Thanks for the info! Must have quite an impact with the full costume. Sounds like the tunic would fit right in with the theme of the Infinite Blue exhibition.

Absolutely! I'm sure if there was one in our collection, it would be in this exhibition as well!

Is there anything you can share about this great piece? Was it worn for any particular ritual?

The mask would have been worn by a member of the Kuosi society for funerals, private society events, and some larger community events. The Kuosi society is a private men's society, so not a great deal of information is shared on their internal workings with uninitiated members of the community. Within the Kuosi society, the elephant mask could have been worn by royalty, court officials, or important warriors.

Amazing, thank you! You're so knowledgeable.

When would someone wear a mask like this? Is it only for ceremonial use?

Yes, a mask like this was certainly only for ceremonial use. In particular, this elephant mask was meant to be worn by members of the Kuosi society within the Bamileke community.

The Kuosi society is a private men's society and the majority of their inner workings are closely guarded. The person who would have worn this mask would have been a high-ranking member of the society.

Thank you! Is this a social society or does it have another stated purpose?

Kuosi is one of several private men's societies in the Bamileke Kingdom. The societies attract wealthy, titled men. Being a member is considered a privilege, and requires the payment of fees to be initiated and to advance within the group.

Can you also provide me with some details about the elephant mask?

The elephant mask, made in the grassfields region of Cameroon, would have been worn at funerals! The imported glass beads used to make this mask were highly prized and costly, and the rights to wear such a mask are restricted to royalty, court officials and warriors admitted to the Kuosi society.

Thank you so much for your assistance.

Kuosi Society Elephant Mask

Arts of Africa

Elephants are often associated with political power in the highly stratified kingdoms of the Cameroon grasslands. Because imported beads were historically rare and costly, beadwork is also associated with high social rank, making this mask a potent symbol of power. The Bamileke masquerade is an assertive but controlled and dignified performance worthy of a royal court. The elite Kuosi masking society controls the right to own and wear elephant masks, and the society assists the fon, or king, as preserver and enforcer of the sociopolitical hierarchy.

CULTURE Bamileke

MEDIUM Cloth, beads, raffia, fiber

Place Made: Grassfields region, Cameroon

DATES 20th century

DIMENSIONS 57 3/4 x 20 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (146.7 x 52.1 x 29.2 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa

ACCESSION NUMBER 81.170

CREDIT LINE Purchased with funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Milton F. Rosenthal

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Elephant mask composed of cloth to which various colored beads have been sewn, and wearing its own complimentary hat. The cloth foundation is primarily deep navy blue. The mask form is composed of a hood-like head/face with round eyes outlined in red cloth and white beads, a nose of red cloth to which are sewn pale blue beads, and an oval shaped red cloth mouth outlined in white beads. The rest of the face has white, deep yellow, and varying shades of blue beads, as well as cowrie shell decoration. The square shaped hat attached to the back of the hood is decorated with blue and white beads. The mask has large disk shaped ears with white, blue and deep yellow beads. Two long rectangular panels (representing the elephants trunk) extend down the head; there is one panel in front and one hangs in the back. The inside lining of the panels is woven raffia fiber cloth. The panels have white, blue, ochre, and red beads. The bead design is geometric and relies primarily on a basic isisceles triangle pattern and its variants, for example, triangle radiates outward from a circle, or are arranged in an hour-glass like design.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Bamileke. Kuosi Society Elephant Mask, 20th century. Cloth, beads, raffia, fiber, 57 3/4 x 20 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (146.7 x 52.1 x 29.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Milton F. Rosenthal, 81.170. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 81.170_detail_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE detail, 81.170_detail_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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