Lot: 185

93rd Tribal Art Auction

Rare mask "igri" or "okonkpo"

Nigeria, Igbo-Afikpo

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
German Collection H: 13 inch This object is not available anymore.

wood, colour pigments, nails, base

"Igri" are among the rarest of masks worn by older male members of the "mmwo" secret society.

"Igri" masks are danced annually by singers and musicians during "okumkpa" ceremonies to celebrate the end of the dry season and to satirise the lives of villagers.

The Afikpo are an Ada (Edda) people living close to the Cross River.