The Nigerian government was unsuccessful in securing a loan of the work from the British Museum, and commissioned Edo artist Erhabor Emokpae to recreate the mask as a 20-foot tall bronze centerpiece for the festival (on display at the National Arts Theatre since 1979).

Who created the pendant mask?

This pendant mask was created in the early sixteenth century for an Oba named Esigie, in honor of his mother Idia. The face has softly modeled, naturalistic features, with graceful curves that echo the oval shape of the head. Four carved scarification marks, a number associated with females, indicate her gender.

Who made the Queen Mother pendant mask?

Esigie created the title of Queen Mother in honour of Idia and in gratitude for her efforts in supporting his military campaigns. This type of mask was worn by the Oba, on the hip, during important ceremonies. The mask is said to represent Idia, mother of Oba Esigie who ruled in the sixteenth century.

What is the mask of Queen Idia made of?

The materials used to create the mask tell us more about Queen Idia—iron was used for the pupils and rims of her eyes as well as in the marks on her forehead, to show her inner strength, while the rest of her face was created from white ivory, which symbolizes purity.

Who carved the Festac symbol?

On Thursday, December 11, 2019, the National Gallery of Art (NGA) opened an exhibition in honour of Pa Joseph Alufa Igbinovia, the carver of FESTAC ’77 mask, Queen Idia.

What does the Benin ivory mask represent?

This type of mask was worn by the Oba, on the hip, during important ceremonies. The mask is said to represent Idia, mother of Oba Esigie who ruled in the sixteenth century. The top of the hip mask is decorated with heads representing the Portuguese, symbolizing Benin’s alliance with and control over Europeans.

Why was the Benin ivory mask made?

The pendant mask is believed to have been produced in the early sixteenth century for the King or ObaEsigie, the king of Benin, to honor his mother, Idia. In Benin, ivory is related to the color white, a symbol of ritual purity that is associated with Olokun, god of the sea.

What is the Queen Mother of Benin called?

THE QUEEN MOTHER, or “Iyoba,” was a powerful figure in the Edo kingdom of Benin, which ruled parts of the West African coast for seven centuries. This statue of the Benin Queen Mother named Idia was cast in bronze using the lost wax process, PM object AF5102.

Where was Queen Iden buried?

Queen Iden offered herself as a sacrificial lamb for the restoration of the monarchy. She was given a befitting burial and her tomb lies close to Oba market (in Benin City) till date.

How do I identify an African mask?

Check the back of the mask for wear, including the holes for fastening the mask on the face. The wearer does a lot of moving in his dances, and contact between body and wood can leave sweat and oil stains. 2. Look for wear from forehead, cheeks, chins and noses.

Which two creatures became symbols of the wealth and power of the Oba of Benin?

In Benin, mudfish are a symbol of wealth and power and can be found decorating many royal objects. In this design, the strength and power of the Oba is symbolized by the men who dominate the powerful crocodiles.

Who built FESTAC?

Festac Town was built in 1977 on the initiative of the Federal government of Nigeria, to host around 45.000 visitors along with Nigerian employees and officers moving to the city in occasion of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), which is the reason for the town’s name.

Who introduced FESTAC in Nigeria?

Background. The inspiration for convening FESTAC can be traced to the development of ideas on Négritude and Pan-Africanism. In the 1940s, Aimé Césaire and Léopold Sédar Senghor, inspired by the Pan-Africanism of W. E. B.

What does FESTAC stand for?

Its name is derived from the acronym FESTAC, which stands for Second World African Festival of Arts and Culture that was held there in 1977. It is also important to know that festac is under Amuwo-Odofin local government area in Lagos.