IDNO

P.71641.GIJ

Description

A white face mask on a masquerader. The mask is painted white and has very human and stylised features. The eyes are inset and the pupils are painted white, black eyebrows, elongated nose, protruding ears, defined lips with a black marking above the lip. There is a black line running down the centre of the face. In addition, there are two small black linear lines underneath the eyes and two small black circles on each side of the eyes. The hairline is scalloped and is possibly made of felt or fabric with strips of felt resembling hair. Around the chin is a band with pieces of fabric. In the background is a man in a cloth and some buildings.

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; South Eastern Nigeria; Nsukka division

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]

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.71504.GIJ to P.71662.GIJ were kept in box 4, now numbered C301/.
P.71640.GIJ to P.71642.GIJ were found wrapped in paper, now numbered C301/13/.

Publication: Same image published on John McCall’s G.I. Jones website with the following information: [Source: www.siu.edu/~anthro/mccall/jones/, AF ]
1. Index to Nsukka and Nri/Awka Igbo
2. Nsukka Igbo
3. Masquerader in Nsukka (2nd image).

Context: White face masks?
This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 4/12/2007]