Institute of Cultural Studies, Beside Pit Theater, OAU, Ile-Ife.
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Inside The Museum

    SOME OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND ARTIFACTS INSIDE THE MUSEUM.

    TITLE: Buffalo Head

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Igala Land

    FUNCTION: It is used to detect any hidden theft action in the community

    TITLE: Epa Figure

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Ekiti Land

    FUNCTION: Epa is an annual festival celebrated in Ekiti land by the princess. Epa comes in different sizes. It celebrates the joy of motherhood. It is own by women and carried by young ladies.

    TITLE: Ikemta Mask

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Ogoni Land

    FUNCTION: A mask used for entertainment purpose in Ogoni community.

    TITLE: Gelede Mask

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Yewa Land, Ogun State

    FUNCTION: Yewa land in Ogun State is among the Yoruba speaking State in Nigeria. Yewa People in Ogun State were the main people that practice and celebrate Gelede festival. Gelede music is known as Bolojo.

    TITLE: Gelede Mask

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Ketou, Benin Repbulic

    FUNCTION: Gelede is a comical masquerade. They are tale bearers. They are used to honour the womanhood. Gelede mask normally appears with female face, the bearer of the mask also dressed in woman attire. The purpose of the mask is to cover the identity of the bearer because Gelede is used to correct social vices. In order to avoid attack from the person mocked or exposed, the bearer covers her face with the mask. All Gelede mask do carries another figure on the top to signify the name or the title of the Gelede.

    TITLE: Gelede Mask (Alagbon Obi)

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Ijio, a border town in Oyo State

    TITLE: Masquerade Mask

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Igbo Land

    TITLE: Ibibio Face Mask

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Ibibio

    FUNCTION: In the olden days, artist serve as historian and journalist by recording whatever that is happening in the society down through their art work. This depicts the colonial era in Nigeria. The figure on top of the mask shows white man and woman.

    TITLE: Gelede (Egbado)

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Yewa Land

    FUNCTION: This is used to drive away evil forces from the society.

    TITLE: Opo Ile

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Ile-Ife

    FUNCTION: It was purposely made to carry or support the house beam, especially the veranda area.

    TITLE: Contemporary Centre Table

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Ile-Ife

    FUNCTION: It was carved by Prof Olonade Fakeye as a gift to former Vice Chancellor, Prof Roger Makanjuola who loaned MAO museum.

    TITLE: Rafia Mask

    MEDIUM: Wood

    ORIGIN: Ile-Ife

    FUNCTION: It was used by the Igbo to raid Ile-Ife during Moremi era.

    TITLE: Cylindrical Pot

    MEDIUM: Ceramic

    ORIGIN: Department of Fine and Applied Art, OAU, Ile-Ife

    FUNCTION: It is a contemporary ceramic art work plant flower.