The word mbubu refers only to this ceremonial gourd mask. It is worn during a secret initiation ceremony known as bkpe in the southern Afikpo villages, Kpogrikpo and Anohia. The Nkporo Ada wear similar calabash masks, with vertical fibre extensions,...
The word ofo (ọfọ) has two similar meanings. It can refer to a sacred tree, thought to have been created by God, or to a ritual artefact (called uvuo by the Ijo and ovo by Isoko and Urhobo) usually relating to lineage.
Ofo objects are often...
Igbo tutelary deities, known as alusi, are spirits that serve as guardians, patrons, or protectors of a particular person, place, lineage, or occupation. These minor deities are often associated with natural elements such as earth, rivers, forests...
The Izzi Igbo of Nigeria make use of a crest mask, or headdress, called ogbodo enyi, to cleanse each community of evil spirits and distructive elements, and are also used as agents for social control. Enyi meaning either...
Found in Southeastern Igboland, primarily in the town Afikpo, opa nwa (also called agbogho okumkpa or agbogho mma; meaning ‘carrying child’ or ‘hold child’; often referred to as ‘Queen...
Found in Southeastern Igboland, primarily in Afikpo towns, okpesu umuruma (meaning ‘frighten children’; also called ihu ori, meaning ‘face ugly’) masks are worn by older performers at Okumkpa...
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