Helmet mask "gelede" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3041491
not available anymore
Provenance
Eileen and Michael Cohen, New York City, USA (before 1970)Size
H: 19 cm
L: 27 cm
H: 7.5 inch
L: 10.6 inch
Description
wood, red- and dark brown patina, characteristic form with receding forehead and projecting mouth part, carrying a drum on the head, drilled pupils, min. dam., various cracks/rep. in several places, base;
“gelede” celebrations mostly take place short before the planting of the yam roots. First when the “mothers” are conciliated, the men are able to do the farmwork and hope for a good harvest. The ritual starts by night. A hut of palm leaves is build in the middle of the dance floor, where all the masks were kept and where “iyalasche” (the head of the “gelede” cult) provides the dancers with the respective mask.