Water spirit mask

wood, greyish brown encrusted patina, mirror glass, metal clamps, nails, fez-shaped calotte, carved with a flat board-shaped element (reminding of a crocodile snout), with anthropomorphic mask face superimposed, dam., minor missing parts, cracks, rep. (calotte backside), base.
The ancestors "duen", the deceased local heroes "am'om" and the water spirits "owuamapu" play an important role in the Ijaws religious belief. Every year a festivity in honour of the water spirits takes place, lasting for several days, held in order to win their favour and to secure the well-being of the community. The outward appearance of the masks extremely varies, for they reflect the visionary or dreamed look a water spirit has in the eyes of its respective carver. The masks are always worn horizontal on the head, for the water spirits themselves hold their heads in one level with the surface of the water as well.