IDNO

T.169968.GIJ

Description

A close up portrait in profile of a masquerader in the Mau masquerade. A character called Oji Onu (long mouth) or Ulaga, representing a foolish antelope spirit. He is wearing a knitted costume and face covering, and has a wooden helmet mask which has short horns at the back and rectangular rods at the front. The dome of the helmet has regular close grooves. The masquerader has a cloth over the back of head and shoulders and is carrying a disk shaped object in right hand. [PB 17/08/23]

Oji Onu (long mouth) masquerade character. The wooden mask consists of a long pointed projection, high carinated nose, incised striation markings painted black, white circular ears, and two pointed horns painted white. The masquerader is wearing woven light cloth trousers, tie-dyed or batik top and scarf with a raffia skirt around the waist. He is holding a circular wooden fan? or paddle? in one hand. In the background are spectators and trees.[Description from record P.71583.GIJ, PB 07/09/2023]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeastern Nigeria; Nri-Awka

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Nri Akwa

Named Person

Photographer

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

Collector / Expedition

Date

circa 1930 - 1939; 1984

Collection Name

Jones Collection

Source

Format

Colour Transparency

Primary Documentation

Other Information

T.169937.GIJ - T.170148.GIJ were located together in a Agfa transparency box, now numbered C756/.

Publication: Image published in Jones, G.I., 1989. Ibo Art. (Pinces Risborough: Shire), fig. 25, p.33. [PB 27/07/23]