- Collection type
- Photograph
- Description
- Skin-covered helmet mask
- 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: 1998.480.18
- 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 not included in the article. 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. Jill identified this particular image as an old (pre-existing) skin-covered helmet mask. [ZM 20/09/2013]
Further items to explore
1998.480.10A Boki man wearing a skin-covered double-faced helmet mask with costume. When this photograph was taken this type of mask was worn in the Bokiland region of the Cross River by members of the Nkang association, whose membership was restricted to proven warriors.1998.480.10
1998.480.58Patrick Achong carving a cap mask1998.480.58
1998.480.35Patrick Achong carving a cap mask1998.480.35
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
2005.113.786Archaeological and ethnographic photographs, mainly relating to iron-working in Nigeria.2005.113.786
2005.113.834Archaeological and ethnographic photographs, mainly relating to iron-working in Nigeria.2005.113.834
1998.66.22Large group posed for the camera.1998.66.22
2015.22.1072[overexposed] Group of boys swimming in a river beside a dug-out.2015.22.1072