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Ekpo
Masquerade
Country
Found:
Nigeria.
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Ekpo
The Ekpo(Soul) masquerade is
widespread among eastern Nigerian groups of the Ibibio. It
is used to present ethical examples essential to effective
social functioning and interaction. One group of masks deals
 with
socially negative qualities and with the spirits of persons
who have either died in socially unacceptable ways or who
have violated codes or laws. The Ekpo is represented
with masks which embody ugliness, distortions, or violence
as the Ibibio would characterize it visually.
Contrasting masks present positive souls,
which are represented by masks whose forms are considered
beautiful, and therefore good.
The Ibibio
is not a single group but several networks of independent
communities, with local unity represented by secret
associations and their masquerades.
The Ekpo
society uses black masks, often of naturalistic appearance
and with movable jaws, to maintain social order and
propitiate the ancestors; some of these masks represent
disease and deformityOthers Arts
Benin Plague
Bemba
Mask
Dan_mask
Ekpo
Ife Head
Makonde Mask |
Others Arts
Benin Plague
Bemba
Mask
Dan_mask
Ekpo
Ife Head
Makonde Mask
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