1916.45.98

Collection type

Object

Description

Headdress mask on a wicker cap for the Owu dance. [MdeA / CW 30 4 98]

Long description

Headdress mask on a wicker cap for the Owu dance. The base is basketry edged with (?cotton) textile. Attached to this base are fibre strings. The base is strapped to the upper carved part of the headdress with strips of cane. This upper part consists of a carved and painted stylized human face. The face has a long nose, protruding mouth and bared teeth. The brow is protruding and the eyes are raised. There is a perforated carving above the forehed, which has a nail protruding. [MdeA / CW 30 4 98]

Geographical reference

Nigeria

Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria

Southern Nigeria Niger Delta Rivers State Abonnema

Cultural groups

Eastern Ijo

Kalabari Ijo

Person

Field collector Percy Amaury Talbot

PRM source Percy Amaury Talbot

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1916

Date collected

1916

Acquisition information

Donated: 1916

Materials and processes

Material Wood Plant, Material Cane Plant, Material Cotton Seed Fibre Textile Plant, Material Plant Fibre, Material Metal, Process Carved, Process Wicker Woven, Process Perforated, Process Nailed, Process Basketry, Process Printed

Dimensions

Length: max 300 mm face, Height: max 270 mm, Diameter: max 213 mm base

Object numbers

Accession number: 1916.45.98

Research and responses

John Picton examined this mask during a consultation visit about the Ijo masks on 20 August 2013 and noted the following: This is a Kalabari Ijo head-dress mask worn as part of a costume in water-spirit (owu) masquerades. Amongst the Eastern Ijo, who are categorised as the groups living on the east side of the Nun River, which includes the Kalabari, water-spirit masquerades are looked after by the Ekine society. This type of mask is worn on top of the head with the carved face pointing skywards, although this makes the mask invisible to spectators at times they do see glimpses of the mask through the movements of masquerader's dance. This is a good an example that shows how the carved section is attached to the wicker base, which sits on the top of the head. The bottom of the wicker base is wrapped with an imported woven cotton textile, in the Niger Delta Indian checked cloth like this is very popular and fashionable. Around the back of the carving are more holes than have been used to attach the mask to the wicker base, this could be to enable a different base to be used. Holes are also used to attached feathers and other decorations when the mask is worn. [ZM 21/08/2013]

Search terms: Mask, Clothing Headgear, Figure, Religion, Basketry, Dance, Theatre and Drama, Headdress, Head Ornament, Dance Accessory