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Maiden Spirit Mask

MOA: University of British Columbia

3326/7

Mmwo helmet mask. Carved from a single piece of wood, this mask depicts a delicate female face with a large ornate coiffure. The face is coloured white with black dashed lines down the centre of the forehead and across brow ridge, outlining the eyes and mouth, vertical lines beneath each eye, and three large dots by each ear. The hair is shown divided into triangular sections with three rolls on each side of the large crest. The rolls on one side connect, while the other side is broken. The crest looks like a wheel and spokes with six sections of twisted hair connecting to a curved line. The rim of the mask has a series of holes around it.

  • History Of Use

    The masks are performed by men as masqueraders for middle grade initiation in the men’s secret society. They are also danced at festivals during the dry season to promote abundant harvest and at funerals of prominent members of society to escort the dead to the spirit world. The dancers mime the graceful movements and deportment of young women and sing in praise of both real and spirit maidens. The elaborate upper section is meant to portray nineteenth century ceremonial hairstyles that evoke wealth and royalty.

  • Narrative

    Assumed to have been collected by Lieber while he was living in Nigeria (1965-1970), lecturing at the University of Ibadan under the auspices of CIDA.

  • Iconographic Meaning

    Maiden spirts represent delicate beauty and the feminine character. The spiritual and moral qualities of young women are idealized through exaggerated small features and a pale complexion.

  • Cultural Context

    performance; dancing

  • Type of Item mask
  • Culture Igbo
  • Material wood, paint
  • Measurements height 33.0 cm, width 17.5 cm, depth 24.0 cm (overall)
  • Previous Owner Jack Lieber, Iris Lieber
  • Received from Iris Lieber
  • Made in Nigeria
  • Creation Date before 1965
  • Collection Date between 1965 and 1970
  • Ownership Date before 2015, before June 18, 2018
  • Acquisition Date on June 18, 2018
  • Condition fair
  • Accession Number 3326/0007

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