IDNO

P.71484.GIJ

Description

An Idoma face mask. The face is painted white with the characteristic Idoma markings consisting of three rows of vertical markings representing keloids painted black located in the centre of the forehead and on each temple and two cirucluar markings on either side of the mouth. The eyes consist of narrow slits with defined black eyebrows, wide nose and open mouth painted black with white teeth. The ears are painted black and the top of the head is painted black symbolising hair. Attached to the chin of the mask are pieces of yarn, possibly symbolising a beard?; cloth is attached to the side of the mask.

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Northern Ibo area

Cultural Affliation

Idoma

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.71482.GIJ to P.71486.GIJ were wrapped in paper, now numbered C302/13/ and were presumed to have come from box 5, now numbered C302/.

Publication: Similar image of an Idoma face mask published in Jones, 1984, p. 145, Plate 52 with the caption “White-faced mask”.

Context: Jones writes about the characteristic features of the Idoma mask. “The Idoma carvings which I have seen resemble each other very closely and were similar to some Northern Ibo mask. The masks, a seated figure and two heads carried by the same distinguishing ‘tribal marks’: three vertical rows of keloid, one on each temple and one in the centre of the forehead. The masks and figure were said to be from the same village and could well be the work of one carver. The two heads could have been made anywhere in the Lower Niger area. One was in fact originally classified as an Ohuhu/Ngwa Ekpe (Ibo) head (Jones, 1984, pp. 144-145). He discusses Idoma sculpture further, “Among the northern neighbours of Ibo, the Idoma people carved white-faced masks very similar to those of the Nri-Akwa, as well as figures seated on circular stools. Most of these Idoma masks can be distinguished from those of the Northern Ibo by their more rounded cheeks and by their possession of keloids arranged in vertical rows, one on each temple and one in the centre of the forehead. Nri-Akwa masks prefer representations of ‘Itchi marks’ on the forehead of masks and figures representing male characters and many carry the distinguishing Nri-Akwa curved triangles painted diagonally on the cheeks and sometimes repeated on the forehead.” (Jones, 1989, p.48)

Bibliographical Reference: Jones, G.I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria (Cambridge University Press); Jones, G.I. 1989. Ibo Art (Shire); Magid, A. 1972, “Political Traditionalism in Nigeria: A Case Study of Secret Societies and Dance groups in Local Government” Africa.

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 19/11/2007]