Origin: Fali (Kirdi group) Country: Cameroon Materials: Iron, bronze, rope Height: 20.5 cm Presumed age: Mid-20th century Provenance: Collected in situ by the owner A finely executed and expressive funerary doll from the Fali people of northern Cameroon, belonging to the broader Kirdi cultural group. The Fali are a small ethnic group living in mountainous regions of northern Cameroon and neighboring areas. Their funerary practices were documented in detail by the French ethnologist Jean-Paul Lebeuf, notably in his seminal 1938 study Les rites funéraires chez les Fali. During funeral ceremonies, the body of the deceased was carefully wrapped with textiles and leather, arms and legs extended and bound, before being carried in a seated position and placed in the tomb. Objects such as this doll are closely related to these rituals. This example is constructed around an iron armature, with the body modeled through tightly wound rope. The abdomen is adorned with bronze rings, emphasizing the torso and adding a sculptural rhythm to the figure. The overall composition is both minimal and powerful, marked by balance, symmetry, and restraint. At once fragile and intense, this piece embodies the symbolic language of Fali funerary art and stands as a poignant testimony to ritual practices where material simplicity conveyed deep spiritual meaning. Highlights - Fali (Kirdi) funerary doll - Northern Cameroon - Iron armature with rope-wrapped body - Bronze rings at the abdomen - Linked to documented funerary rituals - Elegant, minimal, and expressive form