Ibibio Mask, Ogoni Tribe, c. 1980

Ekpo is the Ibibio word that translates to "ancestor," as well as the society, its masks, and the dances that commemorate the deceased. Members of the Ekpo society play political, legislative, judicial, and religious roles in the village. It is an association that deals with ancestor worship, and includes two types of masks: the first, the Idiok, is ugly and evokes wandering spirits, compared to the Mfon, which is pretty and represents spirits who have attained paradise. The white and yellow Mfon masks are flown during daytime burial festivals honoring the recently dead, and also at annual agricultural festivals. Their dances are slow and graceful, with costumes made of many brightly colored fabrics. Considered good and beautiful, the masks embody the souls of people whose lives are unblemished. The dark Idiok masks are often naturalistic in appearance. They represent corrupt, amoral, ugly and evil souls. Height: 20 cm
 
Exhibitions:
2022-2024 Island of Fuerteventura “Art Africa: Ancestral Light”. Lighthouse of the Entallada. Cabildo of Fuerteventura.
2021-2022 Panama City. Government of Panama. “Art Africa: the spirit of the ancestors”. Ministry of Culture Headquarters. Casco Viejo.
2019-2020 Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Caja Canarias Foundation. “Africa-Babel: the art of a Continent”. Headquarters Plaza Patriotismo.
2013-2015 Museum of Art of Africa and Oceania (Madao). La Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia.
2005 “Black Africa”, Leather Museum.
2004 “Black Africa”. Caixa Laietana Foundation, Barcelona. Main exhibition hall