Horned mask ·  Nigéria, Urhobo · ID: 3034894

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, rhomb-shaped horns, elongated linear scarification marks, dam., minor missing parts (chin, ears, forehead, tip of the rhomb), rep. (?) on the right side of the face, metal socle;
this mask type is used in ceremonies honoring the water spirit “ohworhu”, common to the southern Urhobo communities. Once in a decade the people celebrate “ohworhu”. On two days of masquerade dancing and during preliminary rites spaced throughout the previous months, they honor the spirits responsible for the well-being of the community.