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Maha yafei anthropomorphic head
Sapi People13th century (?)
Mudec - Museum of Cultures
Milan, Italy
Contemporary Mende farmers often find ancient sapi heads and figures decorated with stone or metal jewelry when tilling fields. They call them maha yafei (“spirits of the chiefs”), seeing them as spiritual links to ancestors, and keep them on altars and swear on them when taking solemn oaths.
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Details
- Title: Maha yafei anthropomorphic head
- Creator: Sapi People
- Date Created: 13th century (?)
- Location Created: Sierra Leone
- Physical Dimensions: l 30 cm
- Type: Statue
- Rights: Franco and Laura Monti Collection (9) - Museum of Cultures, Milan
- Medium: Steatite
- Collocazione: On view (room 3)
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