Public Program
Lecture with Paul R. Davis: A “Mabuh” Headdress at the Menil
Mabuh Headdress of Kwifon, late 19th–mid 20th century. Possibly Aghem (Wum), Kom, or neighboring peoples. Cameroon, Grassfields, Northwest region. Wood, 13 × 10 ½ × 7 in. (33 × 26.7 × 17.8 cm). The Menil Collection, Houston. Photo: Caroline Philippone
Dynamic Form and Ambiguity: A Mabuh Headdress at the Menil
In conjunction with Art of the Cameroon Grassfields, A Living Heritage in Houston, Curator of Collections, Paul R. Davis, discusses the history of a mabuh headdress at the Menil Collection. With its split nose ridge, ballooned cheeks, and other expressive features, the headdress can be stylistically attributed to the North-West region of the Grassfields, though it was reportedly collected much farther south in the town of Bansoa. The talk reconciles these discrepant origins by examining the regional symbolism of the headdress and the active tradition of mabuh performances as part of the regulatory society known locally as kwifon.
Attending the program:
This program takes place in the main building, located at 1533 Sul Ross Street. Additional information regarding accessibility and parking can be found here.
As always, Menil programs are free and open to all.
