This is an incredible and rare African ancestral figure originating from the Bamoun tribe of Cameroon. The Bamoun are a Grassfields ethnic group of Cameroon with around 215,000 members. The Bamoun traditional religion placed great emphasis on ancestral spirits which were embodied in the skulls of the deceased ancestors. The eldest males of each lineage had possession of the skulls of deceased males. When moving a diviner must find an appropriate place to hold the skull. Despite these efforts some men's skulls remained unclaimed and their spirits are deemed restless. Ceremonies are thus done to placate these spirits. There is also respect for female skulls, but the details are less documented.DIMENSIONS: 23.5" in height, 11.5" in width, 13" in length