The Bamileke Aka elephant mask is worn during performances by members of the Kuosi society. Which of the following best explains how the material properties of the mask and its associated costume reinforce the socio-political hierarchy of the Bamileke kingdom?
- The use of imported glass beads and rare red feathers on the headdress demonstrates the wearers' wealth and elite status, while the performance itself manifests the dual power of the elephant and the leopard to validate the authority of the Fon.Answer
- BThe contrast between the rigid geometric beadwork patterns and the organic form of the round ears is designed to create a visual tension that represents the conflict between human law and raw natural forces.
- CThe long woven panel mimicking an elephant's trunk and the leopard-spot patterns on the fabric are worn during agricultural rites to propitiate animal spirits, ensuring a successful harvest and hunting season.
- DThe static preservation of the mask in royal storehouses highlights its function as a sacred reliquary, meant to hold the ancestral spirit of the deceased Fon rather than to be worn in public dance.
Answer
The correct option is the one stating that the use of imported glass beads and rare red feathers on the headdress demonstrates the wearers' wealth and elite status, while the performance itself manifests the dual power of the elephant and the leopard to validate the authority of the Fon.
The correct answer correctly identifies that the Bamileke Aka elephant mask's material properties (imported glass beads, red parrot feathers) are indicators of luxury, wealth, and high social status. In performance, the dancers' movements and costume elements evoke the strength of the elephant and the agility of the leopard—both key symbols of the Fon's royal authority—thereby validating the elite hierarchy of the Bamileke kingdom.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The performative and socio-political role of masquerade in validating royal power and elite status.