wood, pigments, base

"Ogbodo enyi" is one of the few northeastern Igbo masquerades organized by male age-grades which include small boys as well as adults. "Enyi" means either elephant or friend and "ogbodo" spirit.

There was a whole hierarchy of "ogbodo enyi" masks in each village, as each of the five to six age groups had its own mask. The members of the oldest grade had the largest masks, which also embodied the most powerful and feared spirits.

Present mask is carved with an anthropomorphic head which is called "ntekpe". These types of "ogbodo enyi" are usually only reserved for senior age grades, which is an indication of the group with the highest spiritual authority.

Originally, the "ogbodo enyi", who appeared aggressive and violent, supervised the social order and were entrusted with cleansing the community of evil spirits and destructive elements. Nowadays, their appearances are more moderate and are primarily for entertainment purposes.
L: 54 cm, L: 21,3 inch

Provenance:
American Private Collection

Lit.: Cole, Herbert M. & Chike C. Aniakor, Igbo Arts, Los Angeles 1984, p. 153 ff.
Continent: Africa

See description