Accession Number
2000/2.105

Title
Commemorative Head

Artist(s)
Akan

Artist Nationality
Akan (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1890-1920

Medium & Support
terracotta

Dimensions
6 1/2 in x 6 5/16 in x 3 1/8 in (16.51 cm x 16.03 cm x 7.94 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis


Subject matter
To commemorate and honor deceased rulers or prominent individuals, Akan-speaking peoples created terracotta heads such as this one. Called, among other names, mma, these commemorative heads were associated with the funerary rites of royalty, as average men and women only had funerary vessels made upon their death. This head could possibly represent the deceased individual, but it could also be a member of the court created to accompany the deceased. Although it is debated if mma were used in the burial itself or in the funeral service, which often took place weeks after the burial, after their use mma were kept in a special area of the cemetery, known as "the place of the pots". Throughout the year people would bring food and drink to honor these spirits, as ancestors could intervene in times of difficulty to assist their family.

References Cited:
McLeod, Malcolm D. 1981. The Asante. London: British Museum Publications Ltd.
Cole, Herbert M. and Doran H. Ross. 1977. The Art of Ghana. Los Angeles: UCLA Museum of Cultural History.

Physical Description
On this terracotta head with a flat, circular shape the chin is small, as are the eyes, nose, and mouth. The eyes are framed by semi-circular brows. There are four sets of facial markings, one beside each eye and two in the center of the forehead. The hairstyle consists of semi-circular projections around the edge of the head, ending with a conical projection above each ear. 

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
head

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
burials
commemorative sculpture
funerals
funerary sculpture
head
royalty (nobility)
symbols of office or status