Mask; 'Gelede' mask of carved wood representing face; round eyeholes; reddish brown pigment on face and hat; knob-like extension from hat; split down back of head; traces white pigment over red on hat; l. base 24.7 cm.
Donor:
Mrs. Melvin S. Silverman
Collection place:
Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
Africa; Nigeria; Yoruba
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Collector:
unknown
Collection date:
unknown
Materials:
Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Masks (costume)
Function:
5.3 Objects relating to the Secular and Quasi-religious Rites, Pageants, and Drama
Accession date:
December 1976
Context of use:
Masks used in the 'Gelede' cult were normally worn slanting down over the top of the face so that the wearer, whose identity was not secret, could see out through the eyeholes. Most 'Gelede' masks appear in identical pairs, and the purpose of the rituals is to propitiate witches. The deity, Gelede, was herself a witch; and sacrifices are offered to her with prayers that witches will not harm people.