Dance crest "ogbom"
Description
wood, strongly encrusted greyish brown patina, remains of polychrome painting (indigo blue/white pigment), sitting hermaphrodite, holding a knife and a severed head in his hands, Eket-typical facial features, rising from cylindrical base with central opening and drilled holes for attachment to the dancers head, minor missing parts (crest, base), cracks, min. traces of insect caused damage, pedestal;
the exact ceremonial contents of “ogbom” is no longer known, since the dances associated with them were apparently last performed before 1940. It seems however that “ogbom” displays honoured “ala” - the earth deity" - and called attention to her role in human and agricultural fertility and increase. Most of the known “ogbom” carvings are young females seated on stools. Depictions of hermaphrodites/males are rare. The meaning of objects carried are not konwn, yet the heads would seem to be trophies of war.