Mwo mask – Wood – Ibo – Nigeria

Typical Mwo mask from the IBO tribe of Nigeria.
These face masks of the Ibo from the southeast of Nigeria are a smaller version of the large helmet masks ‘Agbogho Mmwo’, with their tall, carved top pieces. They also represent the same thing: a ‘beautiful girl’, who comes to the living from the other side. Just like the ‘Agbogho Mmwo’ helmets, these masks are worn by men in tight, colourful costumes, where they dance with them during harvest festivals as well as ceremonies honouring ancestors, women and earth deities. Good condition with traces of wear and tear. Contains slight traces of old, not active wood worm.