Egungun cult Mask Headdress
A colorful
old pigmented Yoruba mask, provenance Carlo Bold.
Did you knew that painted masks and statues are known from the
XIIIth century ?
Egungun Masks like this one appear at funerals as part of colorful textile
costumes, they where designed to create spectacular ritual performances and are
believed to embody the spirit of the deceased person.
An"Egungun Dancer" Video
Masks known as Gelede are utilized by the
Efe/Gelede men's Association among the western Yoruba to use at their principal festival at planting time for a dance called
EKA. This society honors "the mothers" in relation to female ancestors and deities. An interesting duality exists, however, in that Gelede is also an anti-witchcraft society and, at the same time, is thought to have close affiliations to witchcraft itself.
Here, the power of the mother in her role of birthing and life-giving is contrasted with the concept of the power of elderly women and witchcraft, thus giving and taking life, health or illness.
This particular mask, carved from one piece of wood, may represent a young woman, with an interesting coiffure going to the chin.
Price of this fine Yoruba mask coming from he Carlo Bold collection, free
delivery worldwide and 15 days guarantee included : SOLD
+32
3 227.35.40
