Mask: Opa Nwa

1953

Nigerian, 1910-1987

Opa nwa - "Carry Child" mask

The "queen" has a female face and carries a child on her head. During Okumpka, she is often hidden in the center of the crowd of seated performers. Known as a woman who rejects suitor after suitor, she is the center of great attention whenever she gets up to dance. Male performers do their best to be as graceful and delicate as possible in portraying her.

Wood with raffia backing

23 x 4 1/2 x 6in. (58.4 x 11.4 x 15.2cm)

Gift of Simon Ottenberg, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

2005.51

Photo: Beth Mann

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

Media

For SAM's My Favorite Things series in 2015, Nigerian artist Emeka Ogboh discusses SAM's collection of Chukwu Okoro masks and his Igbo heritage.

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Lessons from the Institute of Empathy, Mar. 31, 2018 - ongoing.

Published ReferencesIshikawa, Chiyo, ed., A Community of Collectors: 75th Anniversary Gifts to the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle: Seattle Art Museum, 2007, illus. p. 131

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