Masks & Masquerade

Explore the masks and masquerade objects in the Northcote W. Thomas collection, using the drop down menu below to browse objects from each town or region.

Click on each image to explore it further, including for different views of each object.

Roughly carved wooden mask with prominent nose and mouth. The face is long and thin, with a slightly elongated chin.

Masquerade costume

Object number: Z 11923 B

Description: Masquerade costume made out of raffia and cloth. There is a basketry conic helmet covered with cloth and half parts of nut shells. The top of the hat has a rusty can.

Cultural sub-group: Yekhee

Town: Agenibode/Agenegbode

Measurements: 147 cm long, 76 cm wide

Masks

Object number: Z 11909

Description: Agbadzi. Wooden face mask. The fibre is still attached to the holes around the base. This mask was probably for boys’ masquerades and made by the boys themselves. It bears traces of white and purple, grey or red pigment.

Cultural sub-group: Yekhee

Town: Agenibode/Agenegbode

Measurements: 39 cm long, 9.5 cm wide

Object number: Z 11913

Description: Odomudu. Wooden face mask with long face and pointed chin. This mask was probably for boys' masquerades and made by the boys themselves.

Cultural sub-group: Yekhee

Town: Agenibode/Agenegbode

Measurements: 34.5 cm long, 11 cm wide

Object number: Z 11918

Description: Wooden face mask, the triangular tapering shape of the face is common to Agenibode masks. Two prominent horn-like protrusions extend from the top of the head, may represent a hyena.

Cultural sub-group: Yekhee

Town: Agenibode/Agenegbode

Measurements: 39.5 cm long (45 cm with stand); 17 cm wide

Object number: Z 11921

Description: Odumodo.Very large unusual sized mask of extremely light wood.

Cultural sub-group: Yekhee

Town: Agenibode/Agenegbode

Measurements: 14 cm long, 23 cm wide, 41 cm high

Object number: Z 12296

Description: Aure. Wooden janus head mask. Intense dark wood appears burnt and gives off a black substance.

Cultural sub-group: Avianwu

Town: Fuga(r)/Avianwu

Measurements: 27.5 cm long, 17.5 cm wide, 14.5 cm high

Object number: Z 12297

Description: Obo. Wooden face mask with a domed head and serrated crest on top. Incised decoration and the face has been painted white, with blue marks. Some fibre remains in the holes along the edge of the mask. Said to be reminiscent of Igbo designs.

Cultural sub-group: Avianwu

Town: Fuga(r)/Avianwu

Measurements: 47.5 cm long, 30 cm wide

Object number: Z 12299

Description: Igbodu. Wooden mask with holes around the lower edges for the attachment of a raffia curtain. 

Cultural sub-group: Avianwu

Town: Fuga(r)/Avianwu

Measurements: 28 cm long, 18 cm wide, 29 cm high