Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Rumuji Owu play, the character is Abam (one who has visited placeds and learnt things) and the figure represents a fierce fish spirit. The headpiece is a long horizontal carved piece with a pointed head depiciting sharp incised teeth, round eyes, and fins on the sides and top. The headpiece is painted in different colours. On top of the carving is a square cloth panel (like a sail) that has four pieces of cloth sewn in the centre. The masquerader is draped in block printed cotton cloth. In the background are spectators.
— G.I. Jones

Location: Rumuji, Alaigbo? | Date: 1930s | Credit: Jones

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Interior of Chief’s Compound. I[g]bo.
— P. A. Mc C, 1870-1900.

Location: ?Unknown?, Alaigbo? | Date: 19th Century | Credit: "P. A. Mc C"
24 Feb 1905. Ikot-ekpende. [Aro-Igbo] bride and her mother. [In Ibibio territory where the Aro (originally from Arochukwu from what is now Abia State Nigeria, but settled all over eastern Nigeria) were known as Inokun, now Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria]
— Charles Partridge
Location: Ikot Ekpende | Date: 24 February, 1905 | Credit: Charles Partridge

Thursday, October 4, 2012

“I[g]bo MBARI house. 28/2/46. at EBELE, OWERRI [now in Imo State, Nigeria]. Figures of telephone operators”
— William Fagg.
Location: Ebele, Alaigbo | Date: 28 February, 1946 | Credit: Fagg
The interior of an Obu meeting house in Asaga village showing two large life-sized figures of a male and female standing on a raised platform.
— G. I . Jones
Location: Asaga , Ohafia, Alaigbo | Date: 1930s | Credit: Jones

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

A Ngbagba Ikoro masquerade with a close up view of Otiri, the principle masquerade character. The mask of Otiri consists of a circular base with layers of white feathers adorning it; the head is shrouded in a woven cloth. In the background is a thatched building.
— G. I. Jones, 1930s.
Location: Mba Miri, Alaigbo | Date: 1930s | Credit: Jones