IDNO

T.170005.GIJ

Description

"Isiji masquerade. Nkporo. Initiates all have similar masks of coloured strips of raffia stretched over a cane frame and attached to a calabash face mask. They are draped in young palm fronds which are thought to carry magical powers." [caption from Ibo Art]

Isiji masquerade involving a group of young males initiates (junior age grade members) dancing. The Isiji are wearing very tall conical head-dress made of fresh Thaumatococcus leaves and raffia sacking on a stick frame; draped in palm frond over-garments and white (ivory?) wrist ornaments. [PB 31/08/2023]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Eastern Nigeria; Cross River

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Nkporo

Named Person

Photographer

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

Collector / Expedition

Date

circa 1930 - 1939; October 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), and captioned "Isiji masquerade. Nkporo. Initiates all have similar masks of coloured strips of raffia stretched over a cane frame and attached to a calabash face mask. They are draped in young palm fronds which are thought to carry magical powers." [PB 27/07/23]