Agbogho Mmuo Maiden Spirit Masquerade (Igbo)
Agbogho mmuo · Agbogho Mmuo
Attribution rests on documented field collection or recorded observation of the object in use. No collection history is established for this object. Nothing here should be read as evidence of lawful acquisition or export.
About Agbogho Mmuo
Agbogho mmuo, the maiden spirit masquerade, is one of the most celebrated traditions in Igboland. Young men wear white painted masks representing ideally beautiful young women, with elaborately carved headdresses that show female hairstyles.
The tradition is a meditation on female beauty as a spiritual and social ideal. It is produced by and for the whole community, and it is judged by female standards of beauty and grace.
From my book
I photographed this mask during my field work and it appears in my book Within Carved Lines: The Secret Meanings of African Masks. You can read five chapters of the book free here, or get the full book in paperback or hardcover on Amazon.
Record
| People / culture | Igbo |
|---|---|
| Country | Nigeria |
| Region | Southeastern Nigeria |
| Indigenous name | Agbogho mmuo |
| Common name | Agbogho Mmuo |
| Subject depicted | Maiden or beauty spirit |
Ceremony and context
Maiden spirit masquerade performances
Provenance
| Collection | Field photograph by Michael Ukwuma |
|---|
Source
This record is a catalogue entry, not an appraisal, valuation or legal determination. Nothing here should be read as evidence that an object was lawfully acquired or exported.