late-night snack - Cameroon (No reserve price)

Batcham Mask - Bamileke - Cameroon
An imposing mask called Batcham, depicting the head of a hippopotamus, 'dzetshe', emerging from the waters.

The Batcham mask represents the pi, or double animal, of a great dignitary of the kingdom.
It was used by a high dignitary of the MSOP society, who intervened only on rare occasions:
during the funeral and the coronation of the king and the nine dignitaries, and to perform the royal tso dance, the elephant dance.

The mask wearer adjusted the opening of the cylindrical collar around his hooded head.
Le msop is one of the oldest companies in the region.
Originally of a warrior character, it serves multiple functions: it participates in the coronation, initiation, and training of the fon, of the mkamvu'u and of the great Wabo warriors.