Fine African Art Auction
Lot 206:
Height of mask 20 inches. Repaired break to one horn.
Aborji Village Oba, Nigeria. The owner of this mask must be a priest and an "Ofor" holder, a sacred power staff. The two horns at the top exhibit self motivation along with the ability to motivate others. On the face there are symbols that identify his functions and role in life. One the forehead is a star that is a sign he will travel to far away places but must always return. The circles surrounded by dots signify that there is one earth and one humanity whether he travels East, West, North or South. On the chin is a shape of a heart that is a sign that the mask deals with humanitarian works, extending love, meekness and gentleness to others. The mask has a lot of vitality, celebrates youthfulness, and can punish offenders of the local law. It depicts a person who has defended his honor and a spirit that brings about change wherever he goes. The initiation masks are mostly made from the trees where one’s Umbilical cord was buried. The masks are to represent the ideal or intended traits and character of the individuals. They may include representations of life’s journey, their courage, spiritual gifts and such like characters. As an example, my initiation mask speaks of assertiveness, courage, balance and clarity of thoughts. The purpose of this mask is to direct the youth towards a vision of their life’s path; and as he realizes these visions of his youth, he becomes one with his ideal character. However, this is not to say that the individual youth will not deviate from this vision, but that he will realize the vision not the momentary pulls of the heart. Youths will always gravitate towards that which the heart secretly loves, but they are to be reminded that the results of one’s actions are based on their cumulative thought patterns. Individuals may become as small as their controlling desires and/or as big as or great as their dominant intentions and aspirations.
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