Ejagham Ekpa Society Figure, Nigeria, African,SUPERB Start Price USD 1,250.00 Current Price USD 1,250.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 09, 2008 End Time Tuesday, December 09, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Ejagham Ekpa Society Figure, Nigeria, African,SUPERB' Description Title: Ejagham Ekpa Society Figure, SuperbType of Object: Standing Female FigureEthnic Group: EjaghamCountry of Origin: NigeriaMaterials: Wood, Antelope Skin, PigmentApproximate Age: 20th CenturyDimensions: 28 InchesOverall Condition: Very good Damage, Repair: General wearCertificate of authenticity available Additional Information: This extraordinary skin covered figure comes from among a constellation of Ekoi-speaking peoples including the Anyang, Boki, Ejagham, Keaka, and Yako who live in the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria bordering on Cameroon. Living in dispersed communities these various peoples share similar political, religious and social organizations defined through shared art forms that are best known by their use of skin covered head crests or helmet masks. Skin covered masks are uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa and characterize the art of the Cross River region where through contact through trade on the many waterways. This trade not only included goods but the rights to Ngbe , a men’s secret society. Ngbe mean’s “leopard” in Ejagham and was at one time a warrior’s society that later emphasized trade and political connections. Each Ejagham village had a men’s lodge in which secretive meetings were held and which held the Egbe society’s ritual and secret objects. Mask were the most prominent and other than small articulated figures that were attached to the tops of masks figurative sculptures have been rarely noted. Among the Ejagham there is a woman’s initiation society known as Ekpa that educates the young girls in preparation for marriage and as adults. As part of this training the girls are sequestered from the rest of society to ‘fatten them’ that is to make them more attractive as potential brides. Ekpa plays a role in initiating the young girls but equally serves to balance the men’s Egbe society. Reflecting the aesthetic and cosmetic concerns so strongly present among the men and women of Ejagham society this figue is shown with an elaborate embellishment of hor coiffure and is shown with a necklace and a band around her waist and wearing sandals. The dark brown color comes from the skin overlay on the figure. The elaborate hairstyle sculpted on this figure probably locates the figure to the lower Cross River region close to the town of Calabar on the Nigerian side. The sculpted and curled hair devices are carved separately and inserted into the head of the figure. It is difficult to fully discuss this remarkable standing female figure In that we have little evidence of its use and purpose. However it remains a striking figure that was most probably associated with the woman’s Ekpa society among the Ejagham. It remains a strong example of the Cross River congeries of styles and would hold a prominent place in a collection.I have examined this piece and agree with the description.Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D. **031151** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!