- Collection type
- Photograph
- Description
- Close-up of a cap mask used by members of the Oshirikong, a Boki men's entertainment and funeral association.
- Cultural groups
- Ejagham
- Date / Period
- Date of print: 1970s Date of photograph: Between 1970 and Spring 1974, probably 1972, uncertain
- Acquisition information
- Found unentered: 2009
- Dimensions
- Image dimension 35 mm
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1998.480.9
- Research and responses
The slides mounts are labeled Agfa-Gevaert, a merger which took place in 1964. This provides a terminus post quem for the developing and mounting of the photographs, and therefore probably the photographs themselves, of 1964. The original box of slides was labeled 'B. Fagg'. Catherine Fagg and Angela Rackham have both ruled out the idea that they were taken by Bernard Fagg. This suggests that the box was labeled for the attention of Bernard Fagg by the photographer. Since Bernard Fagg left the PRM in 1975 this provides a terminus ante quem for the slides. [CM 30/03/2009]
Research notes - Keith Nicklin, the photographer, included some of the images from this group of 79 slides in his article entitled 'Nigerian Skin-Covered Masks' published in the journal African Arts Volume 7, Number 3 (Spring 1974). This particular image is included (see publications field for details), alongwith a description of the Oshirikong association. On 18 September 2013 I showed these images to Jill Salmons, Keith Nicklin's widow, who thinks they were probably taken in 1972 but definitely between 1970 and before Spring 1974. [ZM 20/09/2013]
- Associated publications
- Research publication - 1998.480.9 was published in colour as fig. 13 on page 12 of Keith Nicklin's article 'Nigerian Skin-Covered Masks' pages 8-15, 67-68 and 92 in the journal African Arts, Volume 7, Number 3 (Spring 1974). The caption printed on page 13 reads: "13. BOKI CAP MASK OF THE OSHIRIKONG ASSOCIATION." [ZM 11/09/2013]
Further items to explore
1998.480.11An Egbege masquerader, wearing a costume and skin-covered cap mask, which represents a female head with a tall coiffure. Keith Nicklin, the photographer, described Egbege as an important Boki association whose membership was restricted to women. Cap masks are known to be worn by women, as well as men, although females usually have the face uncovered. The person in this photograph with the face covered is presumably female, as although Egbege is a female association the masqueraders are not always part of the association and can include males.1998.480.11
1998.480.59Side-view of a janus-faced skin-covered helmet mask.1998.480.59
1998.480.36Helmet mask1998.480.36
1998.480.60Patrick Achong carving a cap mask1998.480.60
1998.304.5.200View of vegetation.1998.304.5.200
2005.113.879Archaeological and ethnographic photographs, mainly relating to iron-working in Nigeria.2005.113.879
2005.113.927Archaeological and ethnographic photographs, mainly relating to iron-working in Nigeria.2005.113.927
2015.22.1572View of two men poling a dug-out canoe with a raised flag on a river, probably the Benue.2015.22.1572