Ibibio or Urhobo Mask 38.5″ on Stand – Nigeria – African Art

$195.00

Sold

Discover African Art Handmad Badge

We are not exactly sure as to the origins of this mask but believe it to be either Ibibio or Urhobo from Nigeria. It measures 36.5 inches tall, 38.5 inches on stand, and weighs 8 pounds. There is some cracking, scuffing and wear and tear throughout – please see photos.

Type of Object

Face Mask

Country of Origin

Nigeria

Ethnicity

Ibibio, Urhobo

Material

Wood, Pigment

Approximate Age

Unknown

Height (Inches)

36.5" mask | 38.5" on base

Width (Inches)

12"

Depth (Inches)

6"

Weight (Pounds)

8 lbs mask | 12 lbs including stand

Overall Condition

Some cracking, scuffing and general wear and tear throughout.

Tribe Information

About the Ibibio People

“The Ibibio and the Anang people number around 2,000,000 and live in an area between the Delta and the Cross River. Their main resource is farming maize and iguame. They live in villages led by a chief elected from the most hounourable heads of important families and Ibibio and Anag social life is regulated by three secret societies which incorporate masks into their annual ceremonies. The most important of these societies is the Ekpo, which is responsible for the cult of the ancestors, who are in turn responsible for the welfare of the tribe. In Ibibio ceremonies, two main types of mask appear. The first, known as Mfon, has an articulated jaw and represents a ‘beautiful’ spirit who has attained eternal bliss. The second mask, called Idiok, is thought to represent a hell-dwelling spirit and is carved with a typical emaciated face, possibly alluding to ill-health.”

Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.

About the Urhobo People

“The Niger River Delta area covers the entire southern part of Nigeria from the Benin River in the west to the Cross River in the east. There are two main cultural areas – the first includes the western side of the Niger River Delta and was first populated during the 9th century by migrating tribes who came from the north. The Ijo people were the first to settle in the area and now live on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Later, other tribes such as the Urhobo, the Isoko and the Ogoni settled in the norther and western part of this delta area. The second cultural area is centered around the Cross River in eastern Nigeria and is home to the Ibibio, the Igbo, the ekoi, the Oron and the Eket. The latter shares the same Ekpo secret society which was first introduced to the area by the Ibibio people.
The Urhobo people settled north of the Niger River Delta and live from fishing and farming. They believe that forest spirits, called Edjo, influence their everyday lives.
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Ibibio or Urhobo Mask 38.5″ on Stand – Nigeria – African Art”