Accession Number2003/2.50
TitleCommemorative Head
Artist(s)AkanArtist NationalityAkan (culture or style)Object Creation Date20th centuryMedium & SupportterracottaDimensions 3 7/16 in x 3 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in (8.73 cm x 8.25 cm x 6.35 cm)
Credit LineGift of Dr. Daniel and Sandra MatoSubject matterTo 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 DescriptionThis terracotta sculpture of a head is round with a small chin, a closed mouth, and a broad nose. The eyes, closed, are oval-shaped below a high, sloping forehead. The semi-circular ears are asymmetrical. At the top of the head, there is a raised circle decorated with small dots.
Primary Object Classification Ceramic Primary Object TypeheadCollection AreaAfricanRightsIf 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
royalty (nobility)
symbols of office or status