Cimier "egungun" ·  Nigéria, Yoruba, Egbado, Akinola de Joga Orile · ID: 3049098

Description

wood, indigo blue pigment, diverse fabrics,

Based on recent research, Witte attributed this headdress to the Egbado artist Akinola of Joga Orile.

Comparisons with other works by Akinola reveal great similarities in terms of physiognomy, from the design of the eyes to the nose and mouth with prominent lip notches, as well as in terms of scarification and hairstyle (cf. AHDRC 0109810 / 0106525).

The “egungun” society regulates the relations between the ancestors and the living.

In times of crisis, for example after a death or at memorial services for the dead, individual “egungun” mask figures appear.

During the “odun egungun” festival, which takes place every year or every two years in honour of the ancestors, a large number of “egungun” masks appear. They belong to different kinship associations and represent their ancestors. They are varied in design and are always complemented by particularly lavish and elaborate cloth costumes. Their power is further increased by medicines “oogun” attached to the costume.

Littérature comparée

Eisenhofer, Stefan (Hg.), Kulte, Künstler, Könige in Afrika, Linz 1997, p. 266

Publications

AHDRC: 0109868