Maiden Spirit Mask Item Number: 3326/3 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mmwo helmet mask. Carved from a single piece of wood, the mask depicts a female face with a large ornate coiffure. The face is painted white with decorative green and black patterns on the cheeks and brows. There are small rounded red ears with green circular plugs(?), small cutout eyes, and a small grinning red mouth with teeth showing. The top piece is decorated with incised concentric ovoid's and lines on the hair, with a black crest with red cutout zigzag detailing between the arch and the 'hair'. Around the lower rim of the mask are evenly spaced holes.
History Of Use
The masks are performed by men as masqueraders for middle grade initiation in the men’s secret society. They are also danced at festivals during the dry season to promote abundant harvest and at funerals of prominent members of society to escort the dead to the spirit world. The dancers mime the graceful movements and deportment of young women and sing in praise of both real and spirit maidens. The elaborate upper section is meant to portray nineteenth century ceremonial hairstyles that evoke wealth and royalty.
Iconographic Meaning
Maiden spirts represent delicate beauty and the feminine character. The spiritual and moral qualities of young women are idealized through exaggerated small features and a pale complexion.
Cultural Context
performance; dancing
Narrative
Lieber's notes say: "From Onitsha, where it was presented to me by L. Uwakwe, the head of the clan and a former student at the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan." Lieber spent six years (1965-1970) lecturing at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, under the auspices of CIDA.
Item History
- Made in Nigeria before 1965
- Collected between 1965 and 1970
- Owned by Jack Lieber before 2015
- Owned by Iris Lieber before June 18, 2018
- Received from Iris Lieber (Donor) on June 18, 2018
What
Who
- Culture
- Igbo
- Previous Owner
- Jack Lieber and Iris Lieber
- Received from
- Iris Lieber (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Nigeria
When
- Creation Date
- before 1965
- Collection Date
- between 1965 and 1970
- Ownership Date
- before 2015 and before June 18, 2018
- Acquisition Date
- on June 18, 2018
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 3326/0003