The Mumuye live in north-eastern Nigeria They are considered to be withdrawn and culturally resistant. Up until 1968 their religious beliefs and customs were still completely undisturbed and intact. Only later did the Euro-American art market become aware of their stylistically interesting sculptures (see cat. no. 93). In addition to these sought-after and valued protective and ancestor figures, the Mumuye also have animal crest masks, such as the present one, belonging to the initiation rituals of the young men. These are called ‘va’ or ‘vabo’ masks and are worn on the top of the head. The dancer can see from under the mask through his mask costume. Mumuye society is divided into many age groups, and each of these groups has such an animal mask made for their initiation rituals (an ape, buffalo, elephant, leopard, etc.).
The present crest mask of the Mumuye depicts an ape head. It is carved of lightweight, light-coloured wood, and coloured white, blue-black and reddish-brown. It is fashioned fully in keeping with the traditional canon of forms. With large, round tubular eyes, between which is a very narrow, short and rounded nose above the wide open, almost funnel-shaped ape mouth. The ‘hairstyle’, or, more appropriately, ape fur, is arranged in such a way as to create ‘stepped’, or ‘overlapping’, neat multi-coloured forms. Just as is appropriate for this mask type. A perfectly fashioned piece, with some colour scuffing due to age in the white areas and on the edges, as well as with a small crack right at the back, below. Otherwise, no damage. And yet with an excellent usage patina, especially on the inside of the ‘helmet’.
Height: c. 16 cm; length: 30 cm; width: 16.5 cm. Circa mid-20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Austrian private collection.

Lit.: ‘Fusions. Masquerades and thought style east of the Niger-Benue confluence, West Africa’ by Richard Fardon, ill. p. 176, 178; ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 126; ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 97, ill. 13.