Huge Ejagham Skin Covered Head Crest ca. 1955

From the Cross River region of Nigeria and Cameroon.

This superb "Processional Head Crest" has been created by carving wooden forms and faces presumed to represent ancestor images. These elaborate creations are completely covered with antelope skin - which when worn invoke communicative channels between the various "worlds". Unlike "masks", the Head Crest is worn on top of the wearer's head through use of the woven basketry located at its base. In this instance, the large "curled coif" - dramatically shown here - demonstrates the hairstyling of the [perhaps] bride-to-be...with the two faces (an almost mirror-image of this depicted face is on the reverse of this splendid work) representative of the "feminine perfection" of the summoned Ancestor(s) being reflected by the actual wearer as she proceeds in her placement within the ceremony. *

*Although I identify this Head Crest as possibly "bridal" in function, please keep in mind here that the ceremonial/processional uses for Head Crests of this styling and construction can be and are used for varied spiritually-derived purposes. For me, actually encountering this magnificence directly I do sense that variations of both form and subject matter (such as human/animal etc.) could serve those disparate needs.

As you, the viewer, can see...I continue to enjoy being more than a bit impressed by the dedication of various practitioners to their system of beliefs...

Again, an interesting read:

http://www.randafricanart.com/Ekoi.html

Views: 109

Comment

You need to be an initiate of Temple Illuminatus to add comments!

Join Temple Illuminatus

Have questions?

Need help? Visit our Support Group for help from our friendly Admins and members!

Have you?

Become a Member
Invited Your Friends
Made new Friends
Read/ Written a Blog
Joined/ Created a Group
Read/ Posted a Discussion
Checked out the Chat
Looked at/Posted Videos
Made a donation this month
Followed us on Twitter
Followed us on Facebook

Donations & Sponsorship

~~~~~~~~~~~
Please consider a donation to help with our continued growth and site costs

Connect

Visit The Temple
on Facebook:

....

Blog Posts

The Reason for the Season

Posted by Zhan on December 21, 2024 at 12:08pm 0 Comments

BEAUTY AND BLISS!

Posted by Rosey Cross on December 9, 2024 at 6:13pm 0 Comments

IGLO

Posted by Rosey Cross on December 9, 2024 at 6:08pm 0 Comments

TORN AND PIERCED!

Posted by Rosey Cross on December 9, 2024 at 5:59pm 0 Comments

777

Posted by Rosey Cross on December 7, 2024 at 2:01pm 0 Comments

THE ANGEL

Posted by Rosey Cross on December 7, 2024 at 1:58pm 0 Comments

THE FUTURE 93!

Posted by Rosey Cross on November 8, 2024 at 5:19pm 0 Comments

WE!

Posted by Rosey Cross on November 5, 2024 at 5:33pm 0 Comments

IT'S SIMPLICATED

Posted by Rosey Cross on October 22, 2024 at 5:39pm 0 Comments

HOMECOMING OF THE GOD

Posted by Rosey Cross on October 17, 2024 at 4:29pm 0 Comments

The Master Race

Posted by the Draç on October 17, 2024 at 6:00am 0 Comments

CHAOTIC CURRENTS ABLAZE!

Posted by Rosey Cross on October 13, 2024 at 4:45pm 0 Comments

The Scapegoat: Yom Kippur

Posted by the Draç on October 12, 2024 at 7:00am 0 Comments

the Drac: 18

Posted by the Draç on October 11, 2024 at 11:00am 0 Comments

GAIA COMMENCES BIRTH!

Posted by Rosey Cross on October 9, 2024 at 4:23pm 0 Comments

TWIN FLAME UNITY!

Posted by Rosey Cross on October 2, 2024 at 1:50pm 1 Comment

NOVEMBER AWARENESS

© 2024   Created by Bryan   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service