IDNO

P.71410.GIJ

Description

Object documentation photograph of a face mask.
A face mask painted white with black paint to accentuate and define the eyes, cheeks, open mouth, markings and ‘ scalloped’ hairline. They eyes are small slits and the ears are protruding from the sides. It is carved and painted in darker colour(s) in extended triangles from eyes across cheeks, and in a semi-rectangular area above the eyes on the forehead. The darkened area on the forehead is carved with a pattern of diagonal lines (representing itchi marks). There are additonal areas of darkly painted incised decorations on the chin and above the main panel on the forehead.

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; South Eastern Nigeria; Onitsha province; Nri Awka; Amobia village

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Nri Akwa

Named Person

Photographer

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Collector / Expedition

Date

circa 1930 - 1939

Collection Name

Jones collection

Source

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.71400.GIJ to P.71498.GIJ were kept in box 5, now numbered C302/.
P.71408.GIJ to P.71414.GIJ were found wrapped in paper, now numbered C302/2/.

Publication: Same image in Jones, Plate 7, p. 16. The caption reads, “Face mask, Amobia village. Nri-Akwa Ibo, showing ‘Itchi’ scaring on the forehead. Part of the insignia of the Nze members of the Ozio title society.

Context: The facial markings represented in this mask are described by Jones as Itchi marks of the Northern Ibo, indicative of membership of the Ozo title societiy, which extended over most of the Northern Ibo and to the Isuama group of Southern Ibo. These marks consisted of diagonal gashes across the entire forehead and upper eyelids. They seem to have a very ancient ancestry for very similar marks were depicted on the heads of figures of the Igbo Uku treasure. (Jones, 1989, p. 17). He goes on to explain that, “Among the Northern and Isu Ibo the Ozo, another graded wealth society, was the power behind the village council but it had no association with any supernatural beings. Masquerading was the concern of younger men organised in each ward into societies specifically concerned with the maintenance of one or two masked characters (p.36).

Context: In reference to the Ozo society, Jones writes that... “most Northern Ibo villages preferred a limited number of specialist associations which graded its members into children, adolescent boys or girls, adult men and women, older men and women: an Ozo title society that brought together the political and social elite and wealthy men: an Igbu society of warriors who had proved their capacity by taking the head of an enemy; a secret society (Mau) responsible for public masquerades and for unseen nocturnal ghostly visitations (Ayaka); and various young men’s and women’s associations with their particular plays, dances and displays” (Jones, 1984, p.65)

References: Jones, G.I. 1989 Ibo Art (Shire).
Jones, G.I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria (Cambridge University Press)

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 8/11/2007]