Mangan mask. Mama, Nigeria, 19th century

Mangan mask. Mama, Nigeria, 19th century.
Wood.
Provenance: Rolf Huisgen, Munich, Germany.
Measurements: 54 cm (height).

This piece is an example of a traditional African mask created by the Mama people, who live in the interior of Nigeria, north of the Jos Plateau. It is associated with mangam ceremonies of which the buffalo masks are the best known. Mama's artistic production consists of highly stylized wooden zoomorphic heads, mainly of a wild cow, worn with a thick fiber overlay costume to disguise the dancer. Their use is believed to bring prosperity to the people.