Ekete Mask – Sunsplash

Description

Ekete sun masks are rare finds. Calling on the positive spirit powers of the sun the are used to celebrate end of harvest periods and usher in the bountiful produce.
The Eket people are a small ethnic group in southeastern Nigeria, neighbours of the Ibibio and Ogoni. The sculptural art of the Eket includes dance crests, marionettes and 3 different mask types: plank masks, smaller, round, flat masks and actual face masks. Masks such as these were used by members of the ‘Ekpo’ and ‘Ekong’ societies of the Eket for dances during harvest festivals.