African Tribal Igbo Agbogo Female Wooden Mask Brown-red-beige Nigeria 1970s

African Igbo Tribal Mask Agbogo mwoThis African Igbo mask, called "young girl", is decorated with a tangle of thick braids and meets the main traditional aesthetic criteria. The white color of the mask refers to the spirits of the ancestors.
These masks often accompany the deceased during funeral rites.
The Igbo live in the forests of southeastern Nigeria. Each village enjoys a great deal of autonomy and is placed under the authority of the oldest tribal chief . The religion of the Igbo includes the god Chuku, the supreme creator, considered omnipotent,
omniscient and omnipresent, and the spirit of the earth Ala.

The object is very expressive: the slender feminine face is painted with a brown decoration, the lips and ears are highlighted with a terracotta color. The headdress is three-dimensional and shows a luxuriant, thick head of hair, which has been extended back to fully display it. Locally encrusted matte patina, light red ochre staining.
Light abrasions.