Otero masquerade for the uninitiated boys at Ezi Ume compound, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

Object Details

Local Numbers: 315/1959-1960 EEPA 2000-070531
General: Title source: Dr. Simon Ottenberg, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Topic: Rites and ceremonies -- Africa; Clothing and dress -- Africa; Cultural landscapes; Masquerades; Masks

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Collection Rights: Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Bibliography: Masked rituals of Afikpo, the context of an African art; Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1975. [published in connection with an exhibition shown at the Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington, May 24-June 21, 1975].

Scope and Contents: This photograph was taken by Dr. Simon Ottenberg while conducting field research at Afikpo village-group, southeastern Nigeria, from September 1959 to December 1960.; Original caption reads, "Uninitiated boys into men's secret society emulate adult otero masquerade by wearing their own to perform. Ezi Ume compound, Mgbom Village. Just play, chase girls. For initiated male doing otero they can punish wrongs, as if given soup to prepare for a title and do not do it or do it right they will come and flog you and tear down your home. Boys can be punished by adult otero as well." [Ottenberg field research notes, September 1959-December 1960, Part I].; "There are two classes of masquerades in which direct physical action plays an important role. One of these includes masks and costumes used for social control. The other is a sport contest. Otero, the second form of the masked costumes, is seen during the dry season on nonfarming days, aho and eke, and on feast days, such as Mbe and during the Njenji parade.The uninitiated boys' otero is somewhat similar to the secret society form, except that instead of a red hat and a net mask he wears a raffia headdress that completely covers the head and face." [ Ottenberg, 1975: Masked rituals of Afikpo, the context of an African art; Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1975].

Collection Restrictions: Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.

Other Archival Materials: Simon Ottenberg Papers are located at the National Anthropological Archives, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.