Zoomorphic water spirit mask
Nigeria, Yoruba/Ijebu
not available anymore
Size
L: 119 cm
L: 46.9 inch
Description
wood, encrusted blackish brown patina, base
The Ijebu Yoruba live near the coast, and their land is filled with numerous lagoons and rivers. It was the proximity and importance of water that led to the introduction of a cult known as “ekine”, which is devoted to water spirits. There are three main water spirits, “igodo”, the bird - “agira”, the antelope - and “oni”, the crocodile.