Igbo mask from Nigeria. Piece over 50 years old. Delivered on base.
Masks are often used to:
- Agrarian rites
- Funeral rites
- Initiatory rites
during these ceremonies the masks provide their assistance through songs,
masked dances and races
For funeral ceremonies, opening and closing of seasonal works:
The exhibition of the mask must recall the creation of the world, that is to say
the organization of the world and society
the mask reaffirms the presence of myths in daily life
For initiatory rites and rites linked to birth or to worship, masks
have a purely religious function since they must protect men from spirits
evil and serve as an intermediary between Gods and men
The mask dance during ceremonies:
Reconciles the profane and the sacred, the natural and the supernatural
Expresses the harmony of opposites, that is to say the balance of differences which
leads to well-being
The dancers wear special clothes when dancing.
Masks are divine objects because there is a relationship established with the
Gods: it is the sacred manifesting itself to men during specific ceremonies
Ceremonies: cathartic moments where man becomes aware of his
place in the universe he sees his life and his death inscribed in
a collective drama that gives them meaning
The sacred: the dance of the mask is that of the Gods - men because men
invite the Gods to share the feast with them: men take
divine attributes and the Gods, for their part, acquire qualities
human
the different types of masks
Masks have absolute power:
- They capture the vital force that escapes from a human being or an animal, whether they
be dead or alive
- It is a full member which protects the person who wears it: its function
main goal is to protect society against criminals, sorcerers, etc.
- During ritual dances they use the dancer's body to embody another
to be: _ a genius
_ a mythical or fabulous animal
Warning: The power of masks is dangerous
Which explains why they are:
- stored in the hut of the dean of the community or held in
secret societies by members
- exhibited and manipulated in specific circumstances: the rites
agrarian rites, funeral rites, initiatory rites
- the object of regular offerings: human sacrifices
- Masks play a political role:
- They resolve disputes
- They give directives to political leaders for the management of
community
- They protect and ensure the safety of villagers
- They inform the community of problems that may arise
- Masks also play an economic role:
- They watch over the harvest and sowing
- They intervene to appease the wrath of the Gods
- There are different types of masks:
- Masks with animal or zoomorphic shapes: representation of characters
dominant animals represented