1: A dance axe, called ‘Manzhi’, made of yellow cast-alloy (brass) executed in ‘waste mould’ casting. Among the non Islamicised tribes in the Adamaua mountains of North Cameroon, dance axes, such as the present one, were presented by the closest relatives of the deceased and carried like a sceptre in funeral rituals. The traditional form of such dance axes represents a rooster, the ‘sacred animal’ of the Fali. L: 40 cm.
2: A loincloth for women of the non Islamicised tribes in the Adamaua mountains of North Cameroon (Kirdi, Kapsiki, Fali, Matakam, Bana etc.) The loincloth consists of densely arranged parallel slats made of forged iron and held together with iron clamps and red-dyed fabric threads below. The loincloth hangs with an iron bow with central ring on a belt made of a red-dyed fabric bulge reinforced with iron rings. L: 49 cm (in total), 17 cm x 16 cm (the iron loincloth alone).
Both objects have noticeable usage patina, first half of the 20th century.

Provenance: Alexander Posch Collection, Graz. Alexander Posch was a camera operator who worked with Viennese documentary filmmaker Max Lersch. With him, he travelled several times throughout Africa (in 1957-1959, 1960-1961 and in 1964). (ME)

Lit.: 'Seltene afrikanische Kurzwaffen' by M. A. Zirngibl, fig. p. 30 (dance axe).