Age set mask

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Mba masks, early 20th century
African, Nigeria, Afikpo Igbo people
Wood with raffia padding

Donor unrecorded
Museum number 1966-161

Each Afikpo village has its own secret society, which all males are expected to join. The mba masks were used in okumkpa, plays of social comment during the dry season. Among the Afikpo Igbo putting on the mask transformed the performer into a spirit.