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Ogoni,Lizard Mask
Tribe: Ogoni (Kana)
Region: Southern Nigeria, Niger delta
Size: 11"
Weight: 1lbs 9oz
Material: wood, kaolin
The Ogoni people inhabitate the area of Niger Delta and although they try to maintain
their own tradition and individual artistic style, the influence of their
neighbours (The Ibibo and Ijo people) is quite obvious. They maintain, however,
a vivid ceremonial activity and for this purpose a variety of masks have
been crafted.
Animal masks have a special place amongst the Ogoni people and are widely used during
agriculture ceremonies, e.g. harvest festivals.
This mask is worn and danced (often acrobatically) by a performer dressed in
long costume made of grass. Carved in light wood, with face whitened with
kaolin pigment, the mask symbolises daylight and good fortune. Its almost
round face has a very pleased expression and with slit, half-shut eyes seems
to be smiling.
A big figure of a lizard is surmounted on a top of the head. In beliefs of
the Ogoni people a lizard
is regarded as a protector against evil spirits.
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