African mask wooden mask hand carved Home Décor Mask Igbo Mask From Nigeria Mask-7728

38.3/18.4 CM
The Igbo people have a rich tradition of utilizing thousands of masks in their culture, representing a vast community of spirits that are not specifically named or identified. One notable feature of these masks is their chalk-white color, which symbolizes their connection to the spiritual realm. Masked performers would don ornate costumes, sometimes embellished with mirrors, with their hands and feet often concealed from view. Through their masks, the Igbo contrast beauty with barbarism, femininity with masculinity, and darkness with light. These wooden or fabric masks serve a variety of purposes, such as social commentary, sacred ceremonies (for invoking the gods and ancestors), initiation rites, second burials, and public festivals, including Christmas and Independence Day. Some masks are exclusive to a single event, while many others make appearances at multiple festivals.