Ibibio-Eket puppet - Lot 40

Ibibio-Eket puppet Nigeria Wood H. 120 cm Provenance : - Alain Dufour, Galerie Afrique - Lucien Van de Velde, circa 1970 - Loed and Mia Van Bussel - Private collection, Belgium Rare representation consisting of a cylindrical pole at the top of which is a cubic torso to which are attached two articulated arms raised to the sky. The puppet's neck and head are decorated with polychrome geometric motifs. The expressiveness of the face is accentuated by the presence of glass pupils (one missing). The mouth opens to reveal two rows of teeth. This large, rare puppet probably belonged to the Ekong society's festivities, held every seven years and attended by numerous mask wearers, puppeteers, magicians, musicians and others. These impressive shows offered the villagers - not only a source of great entertainment, but also a satirical portrayal of the various transgressions that compromised the moral order and had to be repressed.