Product Description
Elu Mask Ogoni – Nigeria
“Elu” mask with hinged movable jaw originates from the Ogoni tribe in Nigeria, early 20th century. Lower jaw portion attached to upper by narrow wooden threads on each side. Semicircular disc like ears protrude from sides of face. Scarification marks with geometrically incised designs appear on forehead. The eyes are hollow almond shaped openings. The head decoration has a raised portion representing ancestors or title holders.
Made of 100% light hand-carved cane wood, fiber and pigments.
Model is W 33 – H 21 and weight 0.8 kg.
Description
This mask with hinged jaw originates from the Ogoni or Obgoni tribe, Nigeria, early 20th century, is called “Elu” which means “spirit”. It is used by many masculine combination in Obgoni and a really good example of a classic Ogoni wood mask. It is hand carved cane wood and fiber. The face is pigmented white with green, red lips, black eyebrows and accents.The mouth is fully articulated, with with several peg teeth, lower jaw portion attached to upper by narrow wooden threads on each side. Semicircular disc like ears protrude from sides of face and would have been worn in such a way that it covered half the face and the wearer had the ability to move the mouth. On the forehead is a light-painted raised square areas, skeloid or scar mark that is common among the Ogoni, Ijo, and Ibgo peoples of Nigeria. It is relatively small and probably would have only covered half of the face, with a simple mechanism to allow the wearer to move the jaw for use in masquerades or plays. uman figures worn on top of the head representing ancestors or title holders. Because of its light pigmentation and Westernized cap, it may represent a foreigner or a European, though this is relatively rare amongst the Ogoni.
Elu masks, such as this one, are danced by young members of secret men’s societies that have social, religious, or governmental functions. The small masks are attached to cone-shaped caps of fiber and cloth that cover the heads of the dancers. They are usually danced at annual festivals or at funerals of members of the societies. The Ogoni are perhaps the oldest settlers of the Eastern Niger Delta, living south of the Igbo, west of the Ibibio, and just inland from the Andoni peoples of the Atlantic coast. Because they encountered the British at a relatively late date (1901) and received comparatively less Westernized education than their neighbors, the Ogoni have maintained more of their precolonial culture and their arts exhibit less iconoclasm than that experienced by other groups.
Though sculpture varies regionally, the majority fall into one of several categories: small face masks of men and women with articulated jaws and narrow teeth, usually made of cane; larger and more grotesque masks representing unruly spirits, some of which have articulated jaws; small masks depicting animals, such as antelope, goats, deer and monkeys; larger masks depicting fierce animals, such as crocodiles, leopards and pigs; human figures worn on top of the head representing ancestors or title holders; headdresses representing marine figures and worn on top of the head horizontally; carved figures of title holders, ancestors or Mami Wata; or puppets with articulated limbs and jaws. Historically, masks were worn in ritual performances for funerals and when yams were planted and harvested. More recently they appear at Christmas and New Year celebrations and to welcome important visitors.
Additional information
Weight | 3 kg |
---|---|
Dimensions | 33 × 21 cm |
Material | Bronze, Wood, Ceramic, Terracotta, Woven rattan, Leather |
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