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Mfon Ekpo Mask,
Anang, Nigeria Wood, kaolin,
Smoke Acquired through the Dutch Province, SMA, 1963
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 The Anang have developed a
distinctive carving style noted for its simple and naturalistic portrayal of
the human face...According to Messenger (1973) the Anang carve masks with
grotesque, deformed and ugly features to represent persons who have stolen
sacrificial objects, persons executed for crimes and people who have died
without ldnsmen to bury them. These spirits are condemned to wander forever
aimlessly through the night. The souls of those who have died in socially
acceptable ways are represented, in contrast, by beautiful masks with a serene
expression The good souls, mfon ekpo, are said to have returned to the village
of souls.
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