This mask from the central Ijo region, standing out from the style of the Ijo Kalabari, is associated with the spirits of nature. It was used by one of the male brotherhoods sekiapu or "dancing people" who wore it obliquely on the head.

Long Ijo mask depicting a fish. The fins are removable. Abraded polychrome patina. The Ijo of the Niger Delta live mainly from fishing and agriculture, and their small villages being located in marshy areas west of the Nun River, their cosmogony has naturally centered around this …

Jul 31, 2024 · Mask Ijo Nigeria 19th century Wood, pigments Height: 86 cm Provenance: Davis Gallery, New Orleans Mark Isaacson and Greg Nacozy, Boston Object Presented by: Guilhem Montagut T.: +34 931 414 319

Among the eastern Ijo, shrines for the water spirits have figures that are often large though frequently kept hidden. They also have masks, similar to those of the western Ijo, worn by men of the Ekine society. In addition, there are shrines that …

Jul 26, 2022 · The mask from the central ljo region standing out from the style of the ljo culture is associated with the spirits of nature. It is used by one of the male brotherhood dancing people. This mask was carved in the style of the Ijo (Ijaw) people of Nigeria.

Ijo Mask (N° 14141) This African zoomorphic crest mask, evoking a sawfish, was carved to honor Bini Oru , spirit of water, during masquerades owu . It was fixed horizontally on the top of the skull.

The Ijo live mainly from fishing and agriculture on the southern coast of Nigeria, their villages are located in marshy areas west of the Nun River. References to their warlike and commercial past abound in reliquaries, rituals and masked celebrations.

Water Spirit Mask Ijo, Nigeria Early 20th c. Provenance: Drs. Jean and Noble Endicott, New York. Published: “Wild Spirits Strong Medicine”, The Center for African Art, NY, 1989, pg. 112, fig. 64. Water is an essential element to Ijo spiritual life.

Rare Ijo mask featuring a porcupine. On either side of the animal's body, bristling with spiked sticks of quills, are rims pierced with holes to which the raffia ornament was attached. Base eroded.

This is a water spirit mask from the Ijo or Ijaw people of Nigeria. It is a zoomorphic-anthropomorphic composite, as the facial structure reflects that of a human’s, with all other features representing those of animals.