Rasp

Fang Bieri Rasp

Continental Equatorial Guinea and N. Gabon
Fang

Wood
ca. Mid-20th century

Height: 20 inches x Diameter: 3 inches
Idiophone - Struck Indirectly - Scraped

The great majority of Fang wood sculptures are related to the Byeri Cult; (i.e., the guardian statue, which surmounted the Byeri Box containing ancestral skeletal remains). However, from the 1920's on, these customs were abandoned. The Ntumu population was estimated at 50,000 people out of the 200,000 'Fang'. Ntumu artists carved wooden figures such as this Bieri with its stylistic rounded shaped head with bulging forehead above a concave heart-shaped face. The arms and shoulders are muscular and the hands are brought in front of the chest/stomach. Every-day objects like this musical rasp instrument also incorporates figures, items, which would be used during the "So" initiation ceremonies of young boys. This musical instrument is played by rhythmically rubbing the wooden ring, attached to the string, up and down the segmented body. This section is hollowed at the back to promote a better sound quality. The result is a continuous rolling sound, and it often accompanies drums. Possibly made for the art market in South Africa

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-IDST-164-21

© Hartenberger World Music Collection