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African & Tribal Art :
Igbo, Urhobo : Igbo Idoma Wooden Dance Mask
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Igbo Idoma Wooden Dance Mask - PF.1238
Origin: Southeastern Nigeria
Circa: 1870
AD
to 1910
AD
Dimensions:
10.875" (27.6cm) high
x 6.5" (16.5cm) wide
Collection: African
Style: Igbo
Medium: Wood
Location: United States
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| Description |
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The Igbo (Ibo) of the Northern Niger River Delta
are one of the largest and most important tribal
groups in West Africa. They are culturally highly
complex, with a political system based upon a
loose form of chiefdom/kingship in some areas,
and a democratic panel of decision-makers in
others. Social life was usually governed by a
number of secret societies. Their main god is
Chukwu (literally “Great Spirit”), the creator of
the world, who is also linked to the sun and all
that grows and lives. Social conduct is governed
by Ogu-na-Ofo, spirits who defend the innocent
against unjust charges. If a guilty person appeals
to them for help, they will be cursed by
Amadioha (the god of thunder and lightning).
There are numerous other gods that deal with
issues as diverse as Ahia Njoku (yams) to Ikenga
(fortune and industry) and Agwu (medicine men).
Each person has a god named Chi, which is
essentially an embodiment of a person’s fate.
The Igbo are known for their artistic diversity,
due to the wide range of environments and local
histories to which their culture is exposed.
Standard sculpture includes Alusi figures – large,
public figures designed to embody the spirits of
significant gods – and also Ikenga figures, which
are kept on personal altars in private homes.
Two types of masks, depicting the beautiful and
the fierce or ugly, are worn by a number of
peoples living in southeastern Nigeria. These
masks are the prerogative of the Ekpo (ghost)
society, a men's association dedicated to
propitiating ancestors for the good of the
community, upholding the powers of the elders
and maintaining social order (Murray, "Masks and
Headdresses of Nigeria", 1949). During annual
celebrations, members perform masquerades
representing a village's ancestors.
The two masks are a study in contrasts. The
fierce or ugly type are called "Idok Ekpo" and
represent people who were immoral and evil and
were therefore transformed at death into ghosts
and forced to wander for eternity. They feature
coarse, misshaped or diseased features and are
painted dark colors. Beautiful masks (Mfon Ekpo)
such as this example have delicate features, and
are painted white or light colors. They represent
ancestors who led moral and upright lives. This
"Mfon Ekpo" is carved of an oval form, the small
mouth open to reveal the carved teeth, the
elongated nose pointed slightly upwards, small
slit eyes pierced through below arched brows,
semi-circular ears, the tapering forehead with a
cap like coiffure, a projecting ridge over the
forehead.
Masks might last 20 years if repainted and oiled
annually and stored away from termites
(Messenger, "The Traditional Artist in African
Societies, 1989). The uneven surface of this
example suggests that it had been painted many
times.
- (PF.1238)
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