Adorning the Body, Asserting Status: Prestige-Goods and Social Distinction at Ancient Chadic Chiefdom of Houlouf (Northern Cameroon)

Abstract

Copper and alloyed copper artefacts, carnelian and glass beads have been recovered in archaeological excavations since the middle of the 20th century in the Chadian plain in northern Cameroon, northeastern Nigeria and southwestern Chad Republic. The initial research projects conducted by Marcel Griaule and Jean-Paul Lebeuf resulted in the “creation” of the Sao Civilization, characterized by a relatively high level of art craftmanship. They made impressive large pottery vessels, terracotta figurines, iron objects, and copper and alloyed copper artefacts, called “Sao Bronzes”. These artefacts were generally analysed from their supposed artistic characteristics; production techniques – the lost wax technique – were addressed but no metal production features were ever recorded in the first decades of research on northernmost Cameroon mounds. The Houlouf archaeological project conducted from 1981 to 1991 allowed for a better understanding of the production and use of the copper/alloyed copper artefacts and other prestige goods recovered from archaeological contexts. They range widely in nature, forms, and shape. There are ordinary personal adornment items – finger-rings, arm-rings, and ankle rings, necklaces, waist-beads – to very specialized cavalry – leg-guards – and archery – arm-bands -, including exceptional figurines. This contribution brings to light the context of use and socio-political implications of these prestige artefacts and outlines their meaning in the developing Central Sudan long-distance trade networks.