Mask Helmet Agbogho Mmwo
Igbo · Nigeria
Reference: MCYC-3
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- Material
- White, blue, red, black and brown wood and polychrome
Mask of the village Okoum. It represents the spirit of a deceased young woman. Presides the funeral rites of members of the male secret society Mmwo…
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Mask of the village Okoum. It represents the spirit of a deceased young woman. Presides the funeral rites of members of the male secret society Mmwo and is front paged by the middle-ranking members of that male society at the ceremony called “Udo agbogho“ that celebrates “the reputation of young virgins”. In addition to the funerals of the young people, it is also manifested in other festivities, agricultural ceremonies of the yam, in which the wearer of the mask pampers the activities of women. She also participates in initiation rites. The beauty of the young Igbo is characterized by a pale-tone face, fine features such as a straight nose and small mouth with well drawn lips and very elaborate hairstyle, preferably in the form of a scimer. The whiteness of his face is compared to the white purity of kaolin and its beauty to that of a drop of water. This mask tries to represent the beauty of young girls with a wheel-shaped headdress that stands in the center of the head flanked by two large combs.
Polychrome with pale tones, due to time and use.
Further technical information
- Attributed period
- First third of the century XX
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
Nigeria. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.
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