Mask Helmet Agbogho Mmwo

Mask of the villageOkoum. It represents the spirit of a deceased young woman. Presides the funeral rites of members of the male secret societyMmwoand is front paged by the middle-ranking members of that male society at the ceremony called “celebrating“ 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.

Slight traces of polychrome with indigo traces. The colors have disappeared because of the time passed and under the patina sacrificiaal.