Ekoi Peoples, Nigeria

The Ekoi people live in the eastern part of Nigeria and in the contiguous area of Cameroon.  It is presumed most Ekoi masks and head crests represented ancestors.  The skin covering of a mask or statue served as a magical agent to invoke ancestral spirits, thus eroding the barrier between living and dead participants in communal rituals.  As part of this annual ritual, the masqueraders used this statue to celebrate and initiate members of the association and also at periodic rites connected with agriculture

Material:  Wood, rattan, leather
Size:  H:  37"
W:  27.5 "
D:  20"

Note:  This rare and fine piece has a woven rattan base encircling a carinated neck and supporting the head, with two almost identical faces with naturalistic features and wearing an elaborate coiffure.

The multiple swirling tresses are inserted with wooden pegs at the base; the whole covered with leather.  What is interesting about this unique headcrest is that all the six swirling tresses are detachable.