Water spirit mask

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Description

wood, matt brown patina, black and blue paint, round calotte with tube-shaped protruding eyes and small ears, the snout reminding of a crocodile, carved with a snake, pierced around the rim, rep. (breakages at the snout), missing parts through insect caused damage, fine cracks, traces of abrasion, base;
the life of the Ijaw who live in the extreme wateriness of the Niger Delta is closely connected to water, which is why their headdresses depict aquatic beings instead of bush spirits. These masks were worn horizontal, because the water spirits have their face in one level with the surface of the water as well.

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Comparing literature

Anderson, Martha G., Ways of the Rivers, Los Angeles 2001, p. 132

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