Mask "okoroshi oma" ·  Nigeria, Igbo · ID: 3035754

Description

wood, kaolin, black paint, characteristic laughing mouth, abrasion of paint, slightly dam., missing parts backside at the rim;
this mask type appears at so-called “okoroshi” ceremonies, which are connected with rituals for deities or spirits of the water “owu”. During the rainy season all activities come to rest for about a month, in order to celebrate the appearance of the water spirits. Two groups of dancers are posted opposite to each other: those who encorporate the good spirits “okoroshi oma” or “beautiful ghosts”, whose masks and costumes were dyed in white and on the opposite - those who encorporate the evil spirits “okoroshi ojo” or “malicious, dark ghosts”, whose faces are blackened.