Cameroonian Ticar People House God
Collection: Spiritual Connections
This is a Cameroonian Ticar People figure called a house god. The expressive clay figure has an exaggerated head, facial features, belly, hands, and feet. The figure is wearing a large ring around the neck and rings around his ankles.
The Tikar have produced these clay figures to represent the spirits of pygmies known as the first occupants of their region. The Tikar believe these spirits offer protection, fertility, and good luck. The Tikar also seek the assistance of house gods during any healing process. Sacrifice and offerings are regularly conducted by the owner to honor these gods and to renew their power. These clay figures come in various forms: standing, sitting, kneeling. Some of them have holes in the back for offerings. The figures may be made in the form of rattles or lamps.
The Tikar originated from north-eastern Cameroon, migrating southwards and westwards to the Bamenda grasslands of Cameroon.
Source:
http://www.africadirect.com/productsdesc.php?ID=53353 http://www.nyamnjoh.com/files/africanamerican_ancestry_search_tikar_origins.pdf