Context (Field collection)
Collected by Northcote W. Thomas in Edo State, Agenibode (now Agene(g)bode) town. The inhabitants belong to the Edo ethnic group, and also identify themselves further as Yekhee people. The language they speak is also referred to as Etsako. See Blench, R. M., 1995. The Work of N.W. Thomas as Government Anthropologist in Nigeria. The Nigerian Field, 60, pp.29.

Event Date
Author: Remke van der Velden

Description (Physical description)
Mask (odomudu).

Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Auction / Sale)
Purchased using money from Prof. A.A. Bevan’s subscription to the Museum’s Accessions Fund.
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
Thomas/Bevan label attached with string reads: 'T.C.2725. / Mask'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Related Documents)
NB. Black and white photograph of object on back of catalogue card.

Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
Written in pencil on back of mask: '2725'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Related Documents)
See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria. [T.Cotterill]
Event Date 7/5/2001
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Wooden mask with long face and pointed chin. Projecting forehead with vertical grooves, long prominent nose and mouth with projecting lips and carved teeth. Drilled holes around the edge of the mask. Small holes on either side of the nose, suggests eyes. [K. Sutton]
Event Date 12/6/2001
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Other)
Similar especially to Z 11909, Z 11911, Z 11914, Z 11916 and some stylistic similarities to Z 11918B, Z 11921
[Information provided by Dr Ohioma Pogoson, Honorary Curator of the Museum of the Institute for African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. January 2013.]
Event Date 30/1/2013
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
A more elaborate carving than Z 11909 and Z 11911. Wooden face mask, strongly schematised and elongated face. All facial features are represented, except the ears and eyes. The lips are visible and between them a zigzag line can be discerned, probably to indicate teeth. Used in the past because the holes around the base suggest fibre for the covering of the wearer’s face was once attached to this. Holes are also visible on the side of the nose but Ohioma Pogoson doesn’t believe these were meant as eyes. This mask was probably for boys’ masquerades and made by the boys themselves as the carving is amateurish and unprofessional. The face ends in a tapering jaw and chin. The rounded forehead has striations running from top to bottom. The nose strongly protrudes. This style is typical to Agenibode. The lips are indicated by a depression. Ohioma Pogoson believes the wood was possibly taken by the boys from a construction site as it seems the mask has been carved from a pre-existing wooden peg.
[Information provided by Dr Ohioma Pogoson, Honorary Curator of the Museum of the Institute for African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. January 2013.]
Event Date 30/1/2013
Author: maa

Context (Amendments / updates)
Record updated as part of the Museum Affordances project 2018-2020

Event Date 30/10/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Roughly carved wooden mask with prominent nose and mouth. The face is long and thin, with a slightly elongated chine. The mouth is is carved in high relief, with teeth indicated, while the nose is long and thin. There is a rounded projection at the top which may indicate hair or a cap - this has parallel vertical grooves cut into it. There are two small holes indicating eyes, one of which has a piece of wood stuck through it, and the other not exiting at the back. At the back of the mask a recess is carved and holes are drilled around the edges. The whole is roughly carved and appears to be stained with a dark pigment. Some of the holes are poorly drilled and are not functional. A small piece of the nose appears to be missing.
Event Date 30/10/2018
Author: Katrina Dring