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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Ibibio : Ibibio Wooden Mask With Two Faces
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Ibibio Wooden Mask With Two Faces - PF.6952
Origin: Nigeria
Circa: 20
th
Century AD
Collection: African
Medium: Wood
Condition: Very Fine
$4,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
The masks and accouterments of the Ekpo
society make up the greatest works of art in
Ibibio society. Drumming and music are also
important elements in Ekpo ceremonies. The
wooden sculpture from this area is also very
detailed, and artists are just as likely to capture
beauty as they are the hideous forms of evil
spirits.
History:The Ibibio have lived in the Cross River
area of modern day Nigeria for several hundred
years, and while written information about them
only exists in colonial records from the late
1800s on, oral traditions have them in the
region much earlier than this. The Ibibio actively
resisted colonial invasions, and it was not until
after the end of World War I that the British were
able to gain a strong foothold in the region. Even
at this time, however, the British found it
necessary to make use of Ibibio Ekpo society
traditions in order to impose indirect rule in the
region.
Economy:The main economic staple in the
region is the palm tree, the oil of which is
extracted and sold to external markets. Among
the Ibibio, those of the highest rank in the Ekpo
society, Amama, often control the majority of the
community wealth. The Amama often
appropriate hundreds of acres of palm tree for
their own use and ensure with the profits they
earn that their sons achieve comparable rank,
effectively limiting access to economic gain for
most members of the community. The Ekpo
society requires that its initiates sponsor feasts
for the town, which fosters the appearance of the
redistribution of wealth by providing the poor
with food and drink. In effect, this allows the
disparity in wealth to be perpetuated in Ibibio
society.
Political Systems:Individual villages are ruled by a
group of village elders (Ekpo Ndem Isong) and
the heads of extended families. Their decisions
are enforced by members of the Ekpo society
who act as messengers of the ancestors (ikan).
Ekpo members are always masked when
performing their policing duties, and although
their identities are almost always known, fear of
retribution from the ancestors prevents most
people from accusing those members who
overstep their social boundaries, effectively
committing police brutality. Membership is open
to all Ibibio males, but one must have access to
wealth to move into the politically influential
grades.
Religion:Ibibio religion is based on paying tribute
to the village ancestors. Failing to appease these
ancestors will result in the wrath of the Ekpo
society. The most important ancestors are those
who achieved high rank while living, usually the
house heads. They may control the fortunes of
the descendants and are free to afflict those who
fail to make the proper offering or those who fail
to observe kinship norms. Ala is the earth deity
and is appeased through Ogbom ceremony,
which is believed to make children plentiful and
to increase the harvest. It is performed in the
middle of the year, every eighth day for eight
weeks by each section of the village in turn.
Credits: Christopher D. Roy
- (PF.6952)
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