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Difficulty: EasyPersonal Shrines and Devotional Art

The reliquary guardian figure (byeri) was created by the Fang peoples of central Africa. Which of the following best describes the primary functional purpose of this figure?

  1. To guard ancestral remains stored in cylindrical bark boxes from the uninitiated and malevolent spiritsAnswer
  2. B
    To serve as a communal vessel activated by driving metal spikes or blades into the wood to enforce judicial agreements
  3. C
    To be worn as a helmet mask during public agricultural and initiation masquerade performances
  4. D
    To serve as a structural, load-bearing palace pillar commemorating the political authority of a monarch

Answer

To guard ancestral remains stored in cylindrical bark boxes from the uninitiated and malevolent spirits
The reliquary guardian figure (byeri) was designed to sit on top of bark containers (nsekh byeri) containing the skulls and bones of important ancestors, protecting these sacred relics from evil spirits and unauthorized individuals such as women or uninitiated boys.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the canonical work referenced in the question, which is the Fang reliquary guardian figure (byeri).
The byeri is a carved wooden figure associated with ancestor veneration and personal/family shrines.
This establishes the cultural and artistic category of the object.
2
Recall the ritual context and use of the byeri within Fang society.
The Fang were historically nomadic, so they kept the bones of ancestors in portable bark containers (nsekh byeri) rather than burying them in the ground, and placed the byeri figures on top to guard them.
This connects the object's form and placement to its primary function.
3
Select the option that correctly describes the protective and reliquary-related function of the figure.
The correct option is the one stating that it guards ancestral remains in bark boxes.
This matches the established historical use of the byeri.

Key Concept

Fang reliquary guardian figures (byeri) protect the remains of ancestors, serving as private devotional objects that link the living with the spiritual power of the dead.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Personal Shrines and Devotional Art

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