Igbo Heaume mask, Nigeria - Lot 84

Igbo Heaume mask, Nigeria This African Igbo mask, called Ikorodo in the Nsukka region of southern Nigeria, glorifies youth and beauty, thanks to narrow eye slits, a sharp white face, scarification marks and tattoos. The headdress is composed of shells and thick braids that fall to the side. The white color of the agbo-gho-mmwo mask refers to ancestral spirits, as these masks frequently accompany the deceased during funeral rites. Indeed, mmwo means "spirit of the dead", and more specifically of young girls, although it is worn by young men to honor the spirit of the earth. Abrasions, white crusty patina. 29 x 25 cm Sold without base The Igbo live in the forest of southeastern Nigeria. They have succeeded in combining a profound sense of individuality with an equally strong sense of belonging to a group. Their political system is complex and little known. The village is the most important social unit, the smallest being the extended family. Each village has a high degree of autonomy and is placed under the authority of the oldest lineage chief. The Igbo religion includes the god Chuku , supreme creator, considered omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, and the spirit of the land Ala . Source: "Masques Africains de la coll. Barbier-Mueller", ed.Adam Biro