The Evolution of Nigerian Traditional Masks in Art

Nigerian traditional masks signify a strong bond with the people’s culture, spirituality, and history beyond simply being works of art. These masks have been integral to celebrations, rites, and rituals for millennia. Every Nigerian ethnic group has contributed distinct styles and symbolic meanings to creating traditional masks in Nigerian art, representing the country’s vast diversity. 

These masks have not only continued to play a significant role in Nigerian culture over time, but they have also impacted modern art and attracted attention from across the globe. This article examines the intriguing history of Nigerian masks, from their traditional origins to their contemporary interpretations.

The Cultural Significance of Masks in Nigeria

Masks are deeply culturally significant in many Nigerian communities, linking the material and spiritual realms. Religious events, burials, harvest festivals, and rites of passage all involve the usage of masks. The idea behind wearing a mask is that the wearer, rather than oneself, becomes the spirit, deity, or ancestor the mask represents. This metamorphosis emphasises the mask’s ability to foster a spiritual bond between the user and the divine.

Every location and ethnic group has its style, and every design has a special meaning. The artistry of mask-making reflects the community’s ideals, beliefs, and history.

Major Ethnic Groups and Their Masks

1. Yoruba Masks

• Southwest Nigeria’s Yoruba people are famous for their colourful traditional celebrations, including masks. For example, Egungun masks are worn to honour ancestors, and masked dancers perform during these events to call upon the spirits of the deceased. These masks are frequently decorated with exquisite beading, ornate carvings, and vivid colours. 
• As early as the 17th century, the Egungun masquerade originated in the Yoruba kingdom of Oyo and gradually expanded to other parts of the Yoruba region. Egungun societies, composed of adult men and women representing the community’s lineages, are now common in many Yoruba communities. These societies organise the appearances of Egungun masqueraders at annual or biennial Egungun celebrations, as well as at funerals and other special family occasions.
• A further significant component of Yoruba culture is the Gelede masks. During the Gelede festival, these masks are worn to honour the strength of women in general and older women in particular, who are said to possess spiritual power.
• During the Epa masquerade, the Yoruba people of Nigeria don ceremonial masks known as Epa masks. Typically, the masks feature carvings of mothers, hunters, priests, farmers, and monarchs. They recognise significant positions in the community, honour those who fill them, and remember relatives who once filled those duties. Epa masks are stored in shrines, where they are the subject of prayers and gifts from the community’s elders when not in use for performances.

2. Igbo Masks

• Mask-making is also a significant heritage among the Igbo people of southeast Nigeria. Mmuo and Okoroshi masks, among others, are utilised in festivals and ceremonies. 
• Mmuo masks are worn at funerals as a sign of respect for the deceased and are usually connected to male spirits. 
• The Okoroshi masks are used in shows to teach the public moral principles and are used to symbolise both good and evil spirits.
• Igbo masks are frequently painted in symbolic hues, such as dark hues for the ground or evil spirits and white for purity or the ancestors.

3. Hausa Masks

• The Hausa people of northern Nigeria are famous for their Durbar festivities, which feature performances by masked horsemen and dancers. The Yoruba and Igbo have a more robust mask-making tradition than the Hausa, but even so, the few masks that the Hausa wear at festivals are typically associated with Islamic customs and are meant to amuse and bestow good fortune.

4. Benin Masks

• The Benin people of southern Nigeria, famed for their bronze and ivory masks, belonged to the great Benin Kingdom. The Ivory Mask of Queen Idia, the mother of Oba Esigie, a strong Beninian ruler, is among the most renowned depictions. This mask represented authority and status and was worn at significant ceremonies on the king’s waist.
• The well-known Benin masks are recognised for their well-carved faces and precise facial characteristics. They frequently represent historical personalities and regal authority.

Materials and Craftsmanship

Depending on the ethnic group and region, different materials are used to make traditional Nigerian masks. Typical materials consist of:

• Wood: The most common material, wood is expertly carved by professionals into various shapes and patterns.
• Ivory: Ivory masks were a status and royal emblem, especially among the Benin people.
• Bronze: The Benin people also worked with bronze to create beautiful, frequently ceremonial masks made of metal.
• Beads and Cloth: Some masks, particularly in Yoruba culture, are embellished with brilliant textiles, cowrie shells, and beads of various colours to increase their mystical value.

Craftspeople frequently learn from their ancestors as they pass down their skills over the centuries. The art of creating masks is highly valued, and each mask conveys information about the community’s cultural narratives as well as the talent of its creator.

The Role of Masks in Rituals and Ceremonies

Masks are dynamic artefacts that come to life during performances. The masks play a key role in all ceremonies, burial, harvest festival, or initiation. The dances and motions of the masked performers are regarded as divine deeds, and it is thought that spirits or ancestors possess them. As an illustration:

• During the Yoruba Egungun festival, dancers adorned in ornate masks embody ancestral spirits, thought to bestow benefits and safeguard the community.
• The contrasting white (good) and dark (evil) masks used during the Igbo Okoroshi celebration impart moral teachings to the populace and uphold the harmony between good and evil.

Transition and Influence of Nigerian Traditional Masks on Contemporary Art

Nigeria began to modernise, and traditional masks began to change from solely ceremonial to important emblems in modern art. Nigerian artists started fusing traditional components—like masks—into modern works of art in the middle of the 20th century. The 1960 independence of Nigeria fell during this time, which led to a resurgence of interest in cultural identity and legacy.

Ben Enwonwu, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Nike Davies-Okundaye, and other contemporary Nigerian artists have all incorporated traditional mask iconography into paintings, sculptures, and textile patterns. These masks now strongly comment on identity, history, and social issues and serve as spiritual symbols.

• One of Nigeria’s finest contemporary painters, Ben Enwonwu, incorporated the traditional African mask form into his sculptures. His paintings merged traditional themes with modern art techniques to produce creations that had an international impact.
• Bruce Onobrakpeya connects Nigeria’s rich cultural legacy with modern artistic expression by frequently using mask-like themes in his prints.
• Textile artist Nike Davies-Okundaye showcases the fusion of history and modernity with her elaborate fabric art by incorporating traditional Yoruba patterns and mask designs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the significance of Nigerian masks in rituals?
   Nigerian masks are used in rituals to invoke spirits, honour ancestors, and maintain a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.
2. Which Nigerian ethnic groups are known for their masks?
   The Yoruba, Igbo, Benin, and Hausa people are some of the major groups known for their unique masks and mask-making traditions.
3. How are Nigerian traditional masks made?
   Masks are typically carved from wood, but they can also be made from ivory, and bronze, and decorated with beads and cloth, depending on the ethnic group and its traditions.
4. What role do masks play in modern Nigerian art?
   In modern art, Nigerian masks have become symbols of cultural identity, heritage, and social commentary, influencing artists in various media.
5. Where can Nigerian masks be seen internationally?
   Nigerian masks are displayed in major museums worldwide, including the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, highlighting their global cultural significance.