Photojournal Banner

Page 107


213.

This is a horned, animal skin-covered mask from the Cross River region of Nigeria at the Smithsonian's Museum of African Art. Gift of Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection.

Present day research points to female braids worn in this part of Africa as the inspiration for the "horns." However, the "horns" might also be a link to the pre-Christian half-human, half-antelope Chi Wara deity. See page 79 of this web site. (There are also 2,000 year old ruins in this area - the Ikom monoliths.)

As argued on page 43 of this website, from the Jungian viewpoint, horned heads point to religious and psychological realities when the vernal equinox was in constellation Aries (and even earlier - the bull archetype during the preceding era of Taurus.)

Possibly Efik peoples, lower Cross River region, Calabar area, Nigeria early 20th century. Wood, animal skin, plant fiber, bone, dye.

I call this digital photo, taken in August 2011:

"Cross River Mask."

Cross River Mask


214.

This is another horned mask from the Cross River region of Nigeria. Also a gift of Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection at the Smithsonian's museum of African Art.

Boki peoples, middle Cross River region, Nigeria. Late 19th to early 20th century. Wood, paint, metal.

I call this digital photo, also taken in August 2011:

"Cross River Mask - 2."

(Oct. 12, 2011) There is a large show of 19th and 20th century wood carvings from central Nigeria currently showing at the Smithsonian African Art Museum: "Central Nigeria Unmasked: Arts of the Benue River Valley." It includes video from the 1960's documenting how some of these masks were used in ritual dancing - i.e.: placed on the top of the head with a hidden dancer below. Also on view are wood carvings left in caves presumably to honor deceased ancestors.

Cross River Mask - 2


Page 107

Contents

© 2011 by Njenga. All rights reserved.

First posted: 8/17/2011

 

 

1 1