Masque facial "idiok ekpo" ·  Nigéria, Ibibio · ID: 3042009

Description

wood, encrusted blackish brown patina, eyes and snarling mouth openworked and particularly emphasized by red and white pigment, raised scarification marks at the temples, slightly dam. (nose), missing parts backside along the rim (partly insect caused/partly broken), rep. (breakage at the chin), base;
the “ekpo” (Ibibio word for ancestor) society represents the most important Ibibio society. “Ekpo” members danced light coloured “mfon” and black or dark colored “idiok” masks that evoke benign and more numerous malevolent ancestors, respectively. Most Ibibio masks are dark coloured, as embodying ugly, unsatisfied spirits whose behaviour provided negative examples for the living.