Masque de l'esprit féminin "agbogho mmwo" ·  Nigéria, Igbo · ID: 3051775

Description

wood, pigments, old collection label “119”, rest., water stains, insect caused damage, base

Only traces of the usual white face painting as a reference to the spirits of the honoured ancestors remain.

The “agbogho mmwo” mask type embodies the ideal image of a woman, both in terms of physical beauty and moral values.

This masks are used mostly during agricultural festivals (usually the dry season), such as the annual “fame of maidens” festival. Also at funerals of important members of the “mmwo” society or in honour of village deities.