Protective mask - Mgbedike - Idoma - Nigeria

This type of mask is found among the Igbo and Igala peoples, and in other communities in central Nigeria who consider it to be a male mask. It could be a “night mask” that is even more powerful than the usual dance masks called Mgbedike. In the 19th century, these night masks were believed to have considerable powers, including the power to punish those accused of dishonest or antisocial behavior. Sculpted from a single piece of wood, this large helmet mask consists of a face crowned by four large braids (about 25 cm high) that are vertical, slightly curved inward, and decrease in thickness (in masks from other ethnic groups, these may be buffalo horns to symbolize the aggressiveness of wild animals). The mask has a huge, schematic open mouth that spans the entire width of the mask, showing the teeth. The ears are animal ears. From the face, sunken in a deep socket, protrudes a large, curved, pointed nose, and the eyes are painted, without any relief. The face and nose, as well as the teeth, are painted white, and the rest of the mask is painted black.

Provenance: Berthe Hartert, Barcelona
Argiles Collection, Barcelona