The Sao civilisation flourished in Central Africa between the 11th century BC and the 16th century AD. The Sao lived around Lake Chad and the Chari River in what is now Cameroon and Chad, and were the first recorded inhabitants of Cameroon. At some point around the 16th century, conversion to Islam altered the Sao’s cultural identity, and today several ethnic groups in northern Cameroon and southern Chad, particularly the Sara and Kotoko, claim to be their descendants. Provenance: Jean-Michel Huguenin, Paris The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.