Lot 41
Africa, Nigeria, Igbo, Afikpo peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A finely carved and painted Mma Ji face mask traditionally used in Okumkpa performances in the Igbo village of Afikpo of southeastern Nigeria. According to Simon Ottenberg, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Washington and former student of the famous Africanist Melville Herskovits at Northwestern University, the Mma Ji mask type is the most characteristic of the Afikpo masks. Mma Ji literally means "knife-yam" named for the machete-like form that surmounts the mask. This example is vigorously carved in a dramatic, geometric vein with two narrow eye slits, painted in boldly contrasting black, white, and red hues, and attached to plaited vegetal fibers at the perimeter. An exceptional work of spiritual art! Size: 7.75" deep x 4.25" W x 10.75" H (19.7 cm x 10.8 cm x 27.3 cm)
Mma Ji masks like this example were created to be worn by older boys during Okumkpa performances. Okumkpa is a theatrical performance traditionally staged following the Dry Season Festival. It is not unusual for the performance to involve up to 100 masked male performers (both men and boys) all of whom sing, dance, and act a series of skits that are satirical anc critical commentaries upon the lives of people living in the community. Once the performer dons the mask, he is transformed from human to spirit (mma). Masks like this example are associated with a deity of the egbele secret society; however the spirit of the deity is not believed to reside within the mask but rather remains in the sacred bush. Instead, the mma is understood to be a manifestation of it.
Provenance: Ex- Adeon Gallery, Nick Poolos, Chicago, IL acquired before 1970.
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#113194
- Condition: Three protruding knife sections reattached. Minor losses to vegetal fibers. Overall very good.
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