Helmet mask "epa" or "elefon"

Description

wood, red and black pigment, coated with encrusted clay-like mass, traces of kaolin, crowned by standing female figure, carrying a child on her back and second one in front of her lap, richly adorned with necklace and bracelets, high towering coiffure, grooved skin scarifications, slightly dam. (nose, mouth), insect caused missing parts (helmet mask, leg zone), cracks, abrasion of paint, base;
Yoruba towns in northern and southern Ekiti are famous for annual festivals known as “odun epa”. “Epa” masks are among the heaviest and tallest of all Yoruba carved headdresses. A typical “epa” headdress has two parts - a pot-like base and a sculptural superstructure. An “epa” headdress depicting a standing female figure was called “eyelase” - “Mother-who-possesses-power” and represented the clan mother.

Publications

AHDRC: 0125873