Deformation mask "idiok ekpo" ·  Nigeria, Ibibio · ID: 3032644

Description

wood, remains of polychrome paint, a deformed mouth with tusk-like teeth, two stylized snakes (?) in the area of the forehead, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, traces of abrasion;
illness or deformation mask, belonging to the “idiok” masks, which were used to be danced at masquerades of the “ekpo” society, depicting people suffering of untreated leprosy, gangosa, syphilitic lesions, or mucosal leishmaniasis.