African Art

Nigeria, Yoruba, Babalawo

A Babalawo is a Yoruba diviner located in Nigeria. the Babalawo uses the Opon Ifa to communicate with the spirit world.

Nigeria, Igbo, Ozo Titleholders

A Ozo titileholder is someone who has earned a a title in political power. The Ozo is located in Nigeria apart of the Igbo society. There are multiple titleholders an councilmen because the Igbo community does not embrace centralized political authority.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Oba

Oba is a Yoruba king located in Nigeria. He wears a extravagant beaded embroidery which is only worn by him. His crown depicts the all seeing nature of the ancestors and spirits.

Nigeria, Igbo, Shrine Sculptures

Shrine sculptures are used to represent completeness. The more figures a shrine has, the more wealthy and powerful the main deity and shrine are. These shrines are apart of the Igbo society located in Nigeria and commonly contain power bundles of protective materials.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Agere Ifa

The Agere Ifa is a carved container used to keep palm nuts that are used in Ifa. Its a Yoruba figure located in Nigeria. The Agere Ifa is also used in divination.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Egungun Masquerade

The Egungun Masquerade is apart of the Yoruba culture located in Nigeria. This masquerade is found in Yorubaland. It helps aid communities in communicating with the spirit world while entertaining the living.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Epa Mask

The Epa mask is apart of the Yoruba society located in Nigeria. It celebrates the "mother of twins" and is visual praise in honor of the character of dignified mother. Each twin touches one breast and holds a tray for receiving gifts to remind us that iya'beji must perform begging.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Eshu Dance Wand

The Eshu Dance Wand is a Yoruba figure located in Nigeria. Its used to honor Eshu. It is typically used in processions and festivals, and danced with by a worshiper in his honor.

Cameroon Grasslands, Bamum, Fon

The Fon is the king of the Bamum people in Cameroon grasslands. He is selected by a predecessor and rules until death or near death. Spiders, crocodiles, and leopards are often associated with the Fon.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Gelede Masquerade

The Gelede Masquerade is apart of the Yoruba society located in Nigeria. This masquerade lasts two days to praise powerful elders called Our Mothers in order for them to bring success and goodness to the community. The masquerade is performed by all men in black masks with blue scarification dancing with horsetail whisks.

Cameroon Grasslands, Bamileke, Kuosi Society Elephant Masks

The Kuosi society is a former warrior society of Bamileke located in the Cameroon Grasslands. A kuosi celebration includes an elephant mask covered with beaded designs and large flaps of cloth that represent elephant trunks. This mask is simply to show off wealth and is sometimes danced by the king himself every year.

Nigeria, Igbo, Mbari with Ala and her children

The Mbari is a building where the most powerful deities occasionally call for an extraordinary sacrifice. The Mbari is usually built in response to a major catastrophe. Ala is the main deity located in the Mbari. Its apart of the Igbo society located in Nigeria.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Ogboni Society Member wearing EDAN

The Ogboni is a Yoruba elder located in Nigeria. Ogboni wears a brass edan as an emblem of office. The edan also may also convey messages and protect its owner.

Nigeria, Igbo, Okoroshi Masquerade

The Okorishi masquerade opposses white/light masks and dark masks. The female mask are the light masks that represent beauty, purity village, safety, daytime, daylight order, clarity, calmness, and peace. The male masks are the dark masks that represent ugliness, dirt, bush, wilderness, nighttime, chaos, obscurity, mystery, danger, and conflict. Rarely do light and dark masks dance together during an annual six week masking season. This masquerade is apart of the Igbo community located in Nigeria.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Opon Ifa

The Opon Ifa is a divination board. It is apart of the Yoruba culture located in Nigeria. Its the essential sculptural object for ifa.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Shango Dance Wand

The Shango Dance Wand is used to honor the deity Shango. Its apart of the Yoruba culture located in Nigeria. This wand often is represented by a female body with her head supporting a double axe form.

Nigeria, Igbo, Ugonochamma

The Ugonchamma is a wholly secular figure used for shrines. The figure is very lifelike and features an exaggerated long neck followed by raised keloidal scars running from the neck to the navel. Its apart of the Igbo society located in Nigeria.

Nigeria, Igbo, Ikenga Altar

The igbo structure Ikenga is typically seen holding a knife in his right hand and a human trophy head in the left. An alter is created with this figure to promote success in hunting, farming, and warfare.

Cameroon Grasslands, Bamum, Buffalo Mask

This mask is apart of the Bamum society located in the Cameroon Grasslands. It represents a buffalo which is symbolic of privileges and authority granted by the king. Its used for prestige.

Cameroon Grasslands, Bamum, Mabu

This mask is controlled by the Bamum society located in the Cameroon Grasslands. Its associated with execution and police officers. This mask is the most realistic mask we have viewed and has spiders on motief representing powers of ancestors and spirits.

Nigeria, Yoruba, Egungun Masquerade (who portray Europeans)

This masquerade is apart of Yoruba culture located in Nigeria. European people dressed in modern clothing are often portrayed in the Egungun. The masks depict stereotypes of Europeans such as literacy, promiscuity, and overly demonstrative in public.

Nigeria, Igbo, Ijele Masquerade

This masquerade is apart of the Igbo community located in Nigeria. Its seen as the crown of all other masquerades. It includes the Ijele mask whites seen as very costly. It can be 16-18 feet tall and only comes out for the funeral of a wealthy, well-respected, prolific titled man.

Nigeria, Igbo, Agbogho Mmuo Masquerade

This masquerade is of all men dancing in white maiden masks. It conveys several superstructures indicating spirit characters from different ages. Its apart of the Igbo community located in Nigeria.