Cultural Archives
An Ekpe Masquerader in Uzuakoli
A black-and-white photograph from the 1930s by G.I. Jones depicting an Ekpe masquerader in Uzuakoli, present-day Abia State. The figure is centered in a medium-wide shot, wearing a large, volumetric mask with textured patterns and dark ocular regions. The costume …
Man in Embroidered Beadwork Canvas Costume and Mask
A monochrome, full-length photographic portrait of a man standing in a frontal, upright posture. The subject is wearing an elaborate, form-fitting suit that covers the torso, arms, and legs, featuring a high-density pattern of geometric and organic motifs, including concentric …
Ojo Onu Masquerade in Amuda Village
A photograph depicting a close up portrait of the Ojo (Eju) Onu (Long Mouth) masquerade character, part of the Obugulu Mau (Ghost) masquerade. The subject wears a carved and painted wooden head mask with two horns, eyes, nose, ears, and …
Feathered Headdress Ogonya Play
A photograph depicting a feathered headdress used in the Ogonya Play in Ogume village, South Ika. The image shows a vertical ornamental structure with a dark central axis and radiating light-toned, blade-like feathers. An arm clad in patterned fabric holds …
Rural Scene with Igbo Masquerades
A black-and-white gelatin silver print depicting a rural scene with two adult Igbo males dressed in masquerade costumes. The figures wear shaggy costumes and painted wooden masks featuring large horns, with one mask also exhibiting large teeth. The image was …
Igbo Adult Males Performing Masquerade
A black-and-white gelatin silver print depicting a group of Igbo adult males engaged in a ceremonial performance in an outdoor setting. One figure on the left wears an elaborate mask featuring cloth streamers and trousers with rattles tied around the …
Dancer Wearing Fish Mask
A photograph depicting a dancer in a mid-motion stance during a ritual or ceremonial performance. The figure wears a vertically oriented head structure with a rectangular textile element featuring a four-armed geometric motif, and elongated pointed components extending upward. The …
Ikem Masquerade Play in Umuahia
A black-and-white photograph depicting an Ikem masquerade play. The central figure is a masquerader wearing an Anang carved female face mask featuring naturalistic human features, dark eyebrows, a fine nose, and marks on the cheeks, topped with an elaborate black …
Igbo Dancer Performing Agaba Masquerade
A photograph depicting an Igbo dancer in Okitipupa, Ondo Province, performing the Agaba masquerade. The central figure wears a dark, matte-textured mask with wide, recessed eyes and an open mouth revealing white, rectangular teeth. The headdress features two large, curved …
Obugulu Mau Masquerade: Egu Agu
A photograph depicting a close-up portrait of a masquerader known as Egu Agu (Money Finish) during an Obugulu Mau (Ghost) masquerade. The figure wears a helmet mask with a complex superstructure decorated with cloth, tassels, and fibrous material. The mask …
Group Portrait with Igbo Masquerade Headdress at Fort Salisbury
A black-and-white albumen print photograph depicting a staged group of approximately eight men in an outdoor tropical setting with dense foliage. The group includes subjects standing, seated, and kneeling, with several men wearing light-colored, long-sleeved collared tunics and two wearing …
Dancer Wearing Fish Mask
A photograph depicting a dancer wearing a ceremonial mask representing a fish. The apparatus is an elongated, tapered horizontal structure with a crest-like form, featuring small, stylized facial motifs and light-colored decorative accents. A rectangular textile banner with a central …