Mask "okonpo" of the "igri" secret society

---

Description

wood, concave vaulted, forehead ridge and nose bridge accentuating a vertical line, subdivided in different compartments with changing colours, grooved lines, calotte of plaited plant fibre for support on the rear (dam.), paint rubbed off;
this type is fairly rare. It is worn at great festivities, taking place at the beginning of dry season for example. Apparently it is worn by older men of higher rank. The term “okonkpo” (= fermented maniok flour), indicates its similarity in shape to a large wooden food tray.

---

Publications

Arts Africains dans les Collections Privées Neuchâteloises, Exposition du 8 juin au 11 août 1985, Fondation Le Grand-Cachot-De-Vent, p. 57, ill. 87

---