Accession Number
1984/2.26

Title
Flywhisk

Artist(s)
Kuba

Artist Nationality
Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1900

Medium & Support
carved wood, copper, fiber and animal hair

Dimensions
15 3/4 in x 1 3/4 in (40 cm x 4.4 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase made possible by the Friends of the Museum of Art

Label copy
In the western grassfields of the Cameroon, flywhisks are carried and danced by the NGOIN female mask, which depicts the royal titled wife. They may also be danced by the male NAJA mask. In addition, flywhisks are often held by rulers as political symbols, and are used to gesture, direct activities, and call attention to oneself.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
carving

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Objects
accessories (object genre)
carvings (visual works)
prestige
woodwork