Mask ‘Mba’

Afikpo-Igbo

Nigeria

Early - Mid 20th Century

Wood, Pigments, Fibers

45cm

ex. Zachary Feere, Antioch

Of all the masquerading traditions in Africa, those from the Igbo and their neighbors in Southeastern Nigeria are perhaps the most vibrant and diverse. The Afikpo in particular are a sub-group living in what is now Ebonyi State, well-known for their vast array of ritual masks used during various seasonal festivals, dances, and plays called ‘Okumpka’. The masks appear in large groups and are danced by men and boys to represent various characters, in this case a beautiful young woman who admires herself with a small hand mirror (as can be seen in the field photo). Dancers would wear elaborate costumes specific to their role, and behave in such a way as to personify the spirit of their specific part in the masquerade. This example is wonderfully executed and adorned with traditional pigments, retaining its original fiber collar which would have suspended the mask several inches from the wearers face.