Dance Mask

Igbo, Nigeria
Early 20th c.

Provenance: Unter Family collection, New York

The Igbo of southeastern Nigeria are among the many West African peoples who hold elaborate masked performances throughout the year. These masquerades serve multiple functions—they honor ancestors, ensure bountiful harvests, teach moral lessons, and entertain audiences at festivals. Maskers, known as mmanwu, also play important roles in ceremonies and rites of passage. Before the early 1900s, mmanwu held significant judicial and policing authority in Igbo society, acting as enforcers of community laws and social order.

Masquerades traditionally take place outdoors during the dry season, coinciding with harvest celebrations. In Igbo culture, ancestors are deeply revered, and mmanwu personify these ancestral spirits during performances. The masks and their associated rituals also embody dualities such as good and evil, male and female, and beauty and ugliness—concepts central to Igbo spiritual and philosophical beliefs.

This particular mask is finely carved, featuring an open mouth with exposed teeth, a striking expression that may symbolize power, aggression, or speech. Small openings at the eyes and corners of the mouth allow the dancer to see while performing. Multiple layers of old pigment remain visible on the surface, a testament to the mask’s age and its repeated use in ceremonies over the decades.