Mask "gelede" ·  Nigéria, Yoruba · ID: 3041274

Description

wood, encrusted reddish brown patina, remains of red, indigo blue and white pigment, black paint, prominent coiffure with shaved forehead and forelocks, chin beard, protruding eyelids with drilled pupils, diamond-shaped scarification marks, slightly dam., missing parts (forelocks), cracks/breakages on the forehead, metal base;
“gelede” festivals are held at the arrival of the early spring rains and are performed in honour of “our mothers”, “awon iya wa”. They have been described as real spectacles with an enormous variety of headdresses and costumes.