Object Details
- Local Numbers
- O-14/1951-1953 EEPA 2000-070013
- General
- Title source: Dr. Simon Ottenberg, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
- Photographer
- Ottenberg, Simon
- Collection Photographer
- Ottenberg, Simon
- Place
- Africa
- Nigeria
- Topic
- Rites and ceremonies -- Africa
- Clothing and dress -- Africa
- Cultural landscapes
- Masquerades
- Masks
- Photographer
- Ottenberg, Simon
- Culture
- Igbo (African people)
- See more items in
- Simon Ottenberg photographs
- Extent
- 1 Slide (col.)
- Date
- 1951-1953
- Custodial History
- Donated by Simon Ottenberg, 2000.
- Archival Repository
- Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
- Identifier
- EEPA.2000-007, Item EEPA 2000-007-0013
- Type
- Archival materials
- Slides
- Color slides
- 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].
- Genre/Form
- Color slides
- Scope and Contents
- This photograph was taken by Dr. Simon Ottenberg while conducting field research at Afikpo village-group, southeastern Nigeria, from December 1951 to March 1953.
- Original title reads, "Okumkpa masquerade play, Amorie Village square. The masqueraders are from Amorie Village. The name of the mask is also the name for the entire dress. Okpesu umuroma (frighten-children)mask, also called ihu ori (face-evil)." [Ottenberg field research notes, O Series, December 1951-March 1953].
- "Okumpka, the most elaborate masquerade found at Afikpo Village-Group, is the most popular and well attended Afikpo masked ritual. It consists of a series of skits, songs, and dances presented by masked players in the main common of a village during of an afternoon or evening. The play is closely associated with the village secret society; all players are society members, and all wear wooden masks and costumes." [Ottenberg, 1975: Masked Rituals of Afikpo, the Context of an African Art; Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1975].
- The photograph depicts Okepesu umuruma mask, also called ihu ori. Common to the okumkpa play, the okpesu umuruma is a favorite mask of the older players who, wearing the dark ori costume, dance individually betwen the skits and may also be actors. Okumkpa musicians sometimes wear an ugly mask. The mask stands for greediness and the self-interest of elders; the facial distortions seem to be regarded not as symptoms of physical illness, but rather as social illness.
- Collection Restrictions
- Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
- Record ID
- ebl-1536864686513-1536864686704-0
