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Rams Head Antiques
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+44 7769255544
Rare Tribal Angas Dance Mask Northern Nigeria
This is a very rare beaded dance mask from the Angas people also known as the Ngas and the Kerang of Nigeria.
The mask is made of plant fibres woven together and decorated with red abrus seeds or iron zakhara in Hausa, with tufts of cotton that hang down as strands. These were used as masquerade masks for a men’s secret society called the Jankai, which is a Hausa word meaning “Red Head”. The Jankai appear during harvest time dressed in the red mask with billowing cloth robes. Elizabeth Isichei, in the article "Change in Anaguta Traditional Religion" describes the Jankai masquerade thus: "the dance is wild, and the dancer achieves an ecstatic state in which great physical feats are possible, with dizzying whirls and great bounds into the air. The dancer lashes out at bystanders with rods and thorn switches, with such violence that he must sometimes be restrained." (Isichei 1991, 43).
Similar examples are held in the British Museum collection the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures Illinois and the National Museum of Jamaica.
The mask is mounted on a bespoke carved stone base with metal rod supports and measures 76 cms in height overall and 16 cms square at the base.
The mask itself is 46 cms in height and 22 cms in diameter.
Provenance
Property of a Gentleman.
From the residual contents of Stanhope Castle, Bishop Auckland.
UK delivery is £20
SellerRams Head Antiques
View all stock from
Rams Head Antiques
17 Front Street
Wolsingham
Weardale
Durham
DL13 3DF
Tel : 07769255544
Non UK callers : +44 7769255544
Get directions to Rams Head Antiques
The mask is made of plant fibres woven together and decorated with red abrus seeds or iron zakhara in Hausa, with tufts of cotton that hang down as strands. These were used as masquerade masks for a men’s secret society called the Jankai, which is a Hausa word meaning “Red Head”. The Jankai appear during harvest time dressed in the red mask with billowing cloth robes. Elizabeth Isichei, in the article "Change in Anaguta Traditional Religion" describes the Jankai masquerade thus: "the dance is wild, and the dancer achieves an ecstatic state in which great physical feats are possible, with dizzying whirls and great bounds into the air. The dancer lashes out at bystanders with rods and thorn switches, with such violence that he must sometimes be restrained." (Isichei 1991, 43).
Similar examples are held in the British Museum collection the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures Illinois and the National Museum of Jamaica.
The mask is mounted on a bespoke carved stone base with metal rod supports and measures 76 cms in height overall and 16 cms square at the base.
The mask itself is 46 cms in height and 22 cms in diameter.
Provenance
Property of a Gentleman.
From the residual contents of Stanhope Castle, Bishop Auckland.
UK delivery is £20
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 13/FEB/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Category Tribal Art
Period Early 20th Century Antiques
Item code as623a3404
Status Sold
£325.00 
$407.00 
€390.10 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 13/FEB/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
View all stock from
Rams Head Antiques
17 Front StreetWolsingham
Weardale
Durham
DL13 3DF
Tel : 07769255544
Non UK callers : +44 7769255544
Get directions to Rams Head Antiques
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