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1916.45.96

Headdress mask in the shape of a stylised goat's head. [MdeA / CW 30 4 98]

1916.45.96

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Collection type
Object
Description
Headdress mask in the shape of a stylised goat's head. [MdeA / CW 30 4 98]
Long description
Headdress maskin the shape of a stylized goat's head. Long pointed face with a ridge running from the brow to the tip of the nose. Eyes and small ears are carved on the side of the head. There is a carved ?beard on the sides and the chin. The mask is perforated around the edges, and there are two upward and slightly backward pointing horns. [MdeA / CW 30 4 98]
Geographical reference
Nigeria
Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria
Southern Nigeria Niger Delta Rivers State Abonnema
Person
Field collector Percy Amaury Talbot
PRM source Percy Amaury Talbot
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1916
Date collected
By 1916
Acquisition information
Donated: 1916
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Process Carved
Dimensions
Depth: max 93 mm, Length: max 380 mm, Width: max 130 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1916.45.96
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 type of mask usually depicts water spirits, although the representation of a goat still corresponds with this theme, as this is the sort of animal that would be sacrificed to a water-spirit. [ZM 21/08/2013]

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