Single-faced cap mask. Covered with skin, depicting a human head with metal used for the eyes. It is painted brown with the face and ears lighter than the rest. The teeth are painted white. There are four protrusions to the left of the face, possibly representing scarification. [AB [OPS Move] 14/9/2016]

Collection type: Object
Description: Single-faced cap mask. Covered with skin, depicting a human head with metal used for the eyes. It is painted brown with the face and ears lighter than the rest. The teeth are painted white. There are four protrusions to the left of the face, possibly representing scarification. [AB [OPS Move] 14/9/2016]
Long description: Skin-covered wooden mask of a face attached to a wooden base. Painted surface with what appears to be metal used to represent the eyes. [ZM 16/05/2013]
Geographical reference: Nigeria
Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria; Southern Nigeria Cross River State Oban District
Cultural groups: Ejagham
Person: Field collector Percy Amaury Talbot; PRM source Percy Amaury Talbot
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1914
Date collected: By 1914
Acquisition information: Donated: 1914
Materials and processes: Material Wood Plant, Material Animal Skin, Material Pigment, Material Metal, Material Plant Fibre, Material Iron Metal, Process Carved, Process Covered
Dimensions: Height: max 259 mm, Width: max 162 mm, Depth: max 197 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1914.26.11
Research and responses: According to Keith Nicklin's entry in the Grove Dictionary of Art Online: 'The Ejagham are often referred to in the literature as 'Ekoi', a derogatory name used by the Efik, that has now largely been abandoned by scholars. The old designation 'Ekoi' is often extended to those of their neighbours - including the Yako and Mbembe to the west, Bokyi to the north, Widekum to the north-east and Bangwa to the east - who have adopted aspects of Ejagham ritual and material culture. The Ejagham are thus not a single 'tribe' or ethno-linguistic group but, rather, a loose confederation or congeries of peoples sharing major cultural features but with distinct socio-political systems.' [for full article, including how skin-covered masks are made, worn and used, see Nicklin, Keith. "Ejagham." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press. Web. 2 May. 2013. http://www.oxfordartonline.com/subscriber/article/grove/art/T025751. [ZM 02/05/2013]
Jill Salmons examined this mask during a consultation visit to look at the skin-covered masks on 15 August 2013 and noted the following: This is a cap mask in the style of those worn on the top of the head by Ejagham men as part of a masquerade costume. The skin used to make this looks like duiker, a forest-dwelling antelope found in the region, which is typically used because of the thinness of the skin. The way the skin covers the wood is crudely done. The skin is patched, which could indicate it has been repaired for reuse or it could just be not well made. The latter seems more likely as the definition around the eyes and nose is not good. The teeth look like they are made of metal. To have the skull area plain on this style of mask is unusual. This was almost certainly collected by Percy Amaury Talbot as he had a good relationship with the local people and usually collected objects himself. [ZM 16/08/2013]

Search terms: Figure, Ritual and Ceremonial, Dance, Religion, Mask, Ceremonial Object, Dance Accessory