Mask 7 at The British Museum, London

myminifactory

Among the Kalabari Ijo peoples, who inhabit the delta region of the lower Niger River in Nigeria, revered rituals are performed to honor and appease powerful water spirits believed responsible for securing the Ijo's food supply and their fertility. This intricately carved wooden mask represents one such esteemed water spirit, otobo (hippopotamus), which was worn on top of the head, adorned with vibrant feathers and colorful cloth. African masks were not only used to entertain and perform in ceremonies but also served as a means to bring the formidable powers of the wild bush and swamps into the heart of towns and villages, allowing humans to interact with them and harness their potent forces for social gain. Characters commonly featured in such powerful masquerades include fierce wild beasts, enigmatic spirits, mysterious foreigners, cunning witches, and the departed. This remarkable object is part of "Scan The World", a groundbreaking non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a vast digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access and free use. Scan The World is an open-source, community-driven project, and those with interesting items they'd like to contribute are encouraged to email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can participate in this exciting endeavor.