An intentionally "ugly" mask of the Ekpo society with an articulated jaw. The masks and accoutrements of the Ekpo society make up the greatest works of art in Ibibio society. Ibibio often purposefully play with proportions in their masks to distort the face. [ 23 ]

Jun 6, 2016 · Masks are used by each of the three secret societies but are most common in Ekpo Nyoho, where face masks with raffia hanging down to the waist are the most characteristic type. If a rule is violated, the chief sends masked characters to enforce sanctions.

Ibibio masks of the ekpo society depicting beneficent ancestor spirits (mfon ekpo) were carved to be beautiful and were typically associated with fertility, whereas masks representing malevolent spirits (idiok ekpo) were designed to be unsightly and evoke horror—being commonly painted in dark tones, featuring misshapen teeth, and manifesting ...

The Ibibio inhabit Nigeria and parts of Benin. The Eket are a subgroup of the Ibibio known for their highly cultivated artistic style. Masks are used by the Ekpo (leopard) Society to protect and purify the village through invocation of the Ekpo bush spirit.

This mask is not as grotesque as most of the Idiok Ekpo (evil ghosts) category to which it belongs. Yet it does have all the essential ingredients. It is large, dark, has threatening horns and most of all, a huge mouth open to expose fang-like incisors.

This "beautiful woman mask" is from the Ibo/Igbo Tribe in Nigeria. The figure is wearing a triple headdress which indicates femininity. It has raised brows, narrow eyes, and a curved smile.

Ekpo Society Mask with Fringe Attachment, early 20th century. Wood, raffia or palm fiber, organic material, cloth fiber, 29 x 15 x 8 in. (73.7 x 38.1 x 20.4 cm) Mask: 11 3/4 x 8 x 8 in. (30.0 x 20.4 x 20.4 cm).

These Ibibio masks were used by the Ekpo society, a crucial instrument in the hands of the village chiefs that acted as an agent of social control in the absence of a centralized, political state.

Once the evil souls, idiok ekpo, appear the beautiful masks leave, abandoning the village to the disruptive, destructive activities of the dark masks. The physical deformities and ugliness of the dark masks is testimony to the antisocial activities or unfortunate previous lives of these souls.

The Ibibio recognized that once a mbop (mask) was put on, an ancestor’s soul (ekpo) possessed the wearer, allowing the masquerader to commit acts of havoc with impunity. This remarkable mask is elaborately structured, showing a skull-like face and additional maskettes to either side.