IDNO

P.71419.GIJ

Description

Oji Onu (or Long Mouth) wooden head mask with a forward projecting muzzle, middle section carved with human nose and eyes, followed by animal? ears, and a pointed cone-shaped protrusion at the rear.

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; South Eastern Nigeria; Onitsha province; Nri Awka; Nimo [town]

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.71416.GIJ to P.71421.GIJ were found wrapped in paper, now numbered C302/4/.

Context: Jones defines a headmask as one that can be worn horizontally on top of the actor’s head (Jones, 1989, p.31)
The character in this masquerade was called Ulaga or Oji Onu (lLong Mouth); he belonged to the benign or comic animal category. The frontal part of his head mask projected forward as a muzzle or pair of jaws, the middle section carried a high human forehead and a high carinated human nose, occasionally flanked by bulbous eyes; the rear part was finished off with horns or animal ears or more abstract projections. Whatever its origin, whether it the Lower Niger or Delta area, this type of mask seems to have ranged from the central Delta confluence of the Niger and Benue River and as far up the latter as the Jukun and Chamba Territory (Jones, 1984, p.140).

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

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