Mask "akuma" ·  Nigeria, Jukun · ID: 3034922

Description

wood, blotched patina, remains of kaolin, plant fibre cord, cleft lips, crowned by bent horns, pierced around the rim, rep. (breakage right horn tip), cracks, traces of abrasion, metal socle;
belonging to the “akuma” cult. The mask was used manifold. It was called upon for healing a sick person or for thanking the deity immediately prior to the harvest of corn, it was performed at important funerals, for greeting important visitors and helped to celebrate a good fortune. The mask is worn tipped back at an angle of about thirty degrees from the vertical.

Comparing literature

Evers, Christophe, Art of the Upper Benue River, Brüssel 2003, p. 39