Reliquary - Fang - Gabon - Box ancestral bones

Among the ethnic group the Fang of Gabon, each family has a 'Byeri' or reliquary box, in which bones of the ancestors are preserved. These boxes were guarded by the oldest man in the village, standing in a dark corner of his home.
Reliquary boxes are topped with a statue that acts as a custodian and is intended to divert evil influences to someone else.
During (initiation) ceremonies the statues are seperated from their boxes and paraded.
The keeper of this box, with his legs bent and hands clasped around a cup, typically rests on a pillar.
A small monkey skull is attached to the top of the lid; the Fang ethnic subgroup the Bulu, is known for the representations of monkeys.
A rare item

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