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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Face Mask (Akuma)
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami

Face Mask (Akuma)

Artist/Maker (Nigeria)
Datenot dated
Mediumwood and stain
DimensionsOverall: 26 3/8 x 12 3/4 x 8 1/8 in. (67 x 32.4 x 20.6 cm)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineGift of Alan Potamkin
Terms
    Object number2012.2.26
    DescriptionThe Jukun are best known for being the only ethnic group in the Benue River area to have formed a centralized state in the seventeenth century. Akuma cult masks are found in pairs with the male masks made of wood and the female masks of netted fiber. The male Akuma mask is worn at an angle above the top of the dancer's head. It seems to be a part of a very widespread West African tradition of using horizontal, horned masks in an anti-witchcraft capacity. In addition, for the Jukun, Akuma masks are used in connection with harvest celebrations. An unusual feature of this mask is its third horn; most Akuma masks only have two.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Helmet Mask (Bo Nun Amuin)
    Baulé people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask
    Lwalu people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask
    Lula people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask
    Dan people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Funerary Mask
    Lambayeque-Sicán
    800-1350
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask (Okoroshi)
    Nigeria, Igbo people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Double-faced Helmet Mask
    Ejagham people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask (Ngon)
    Bamana people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Mola
    Guna people
    late 1940s-mid 1950s
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask (Idiok Ekpo)
    Ibibio people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Face Mask (Idiok Ekpo)
    Ibibio people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Portrait of a Man of the Sandwich Islands in a Mask and Representation of a Man of the Sandwich Islands Dancing
    Royce
    1784-1786
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