Description
The Chamba of Nigeria are divided into clans and chiefdoms, each of which is associated with a Vara (skull) cult of deceased ancestors. The cult celebrates and worships ancestors and the protective bush spirit of the community — the skulls of past chiefs are preserved and honoured to ensure the welfare, prosperity and fertility of the whole community.
Associated with the Vara cult, masked performers dance during the funerals of important chiefs and cult members, during circumcision and Vara initiation rites of young boys and also during the enthronement of new chiefs (during which newly fermented beer is offered to the skulls of the new chief's predecessors). Called nam-gbalang in Mapeo among the Chamba Daka in West Chambaland, lang-gbadna / badna in Yeli among the Chamba Leko in West Chambaland or Vad / Vara among the Chamba Leko in East Chambaland, these masks are believed to represent wild, powerful and dangerous spirits of the forest, from which the masquerades appear.
When not in use lang-gbadna masks are stored back in the bush outside of the village.
Distinguishing Features
Regional variations (Eastern Chamba Leko — vara helmet mask):
Regional variations (Western Chamba Daka - Lang Gbadna helmet mask):
Regional variations (Southern Chambaland):
Regional variations (Southern Chambaland):