IDNO

P.71643.GIJ

Description

Agu Necheanyi (lion waits for elephant) mask. The mask is unfinished and is being “modelled’ by a seated man. The mask is unpainted and consists of a carved face with large rounded eyes, pointed nose and large muzzle with pointed teeth, jutting out from the side of the jaw are two curved horns and on the forehead is a small horned animal head and emanating from that are two pointed horns making up the front part of the “superstructure” with four other projections behind, perched on top is a carved animal, perhaps a dog? with a curled tail. In the background are wooden chairs, thatched huts and trees.

Place

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

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Nri Awka

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.71643 was found wrapped in paper, now numbered C301/14/.

Context: There was a broad division in many Lower Niger masquerades between ‘beautiful’ and ‘ugly’ characters. The former were thought of as beautiful, serene, and usually female beings, the latter as dangerous, aggressive and masculine. The beautiful were usually white-faced with black hair and gaily decorated headdresses rounded, angular. The number and variety of masks and masquerades [in the Nri/Awka Igbo area of Ontisha province] was considerable: they were referred to generically as Mau (Ghost) (Jones, 1984).

Context: The wide variety of masks in the Nri Akwa area is discussed further. Antelopes, goats, and similar animal spirits were given head masks and those with long muzzles were called Oji Onu (long mouth) or Ulaga. Some animals (for example, Tortoise) were carved as a complete figure which was worn on the actor’s head. There was a range of masks in various shapes, sizes, styles and materials representing comic, stupid, and other human and animal types. There was also faceless characters where the actor’s own face was concealed under a cloth or raffia hood. Some of these were said to be very old and senior, other were abstractions like the spirit called Government or three raffia-covered characters who sang together in thirds and were called Onukamma (the tongue is stronger than the sword). Some of the masks used in Nri-Akwa masquerades were borrowed from elsewhere, mainly from the Ibibio. (Jones, 1989, pp.46-47.)

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 5/12/2007]