Display of Gelede headdresses, near Meko, Nigeria

Object Details

Local Numbers: EENG-VII-33, 27.
General: Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note: Typed index card reads, "E 2 Yrb. Yoruba. Nigeria, Meko region. 6 Gelede masks, displayed after the dance. 1/1971. EE. neg.no. VII-33, 27. See back: village identification. 8/1978. Babatunde Lawal." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.

Topic: Works of art in situ; Masks; Wood-carving; Animals in art; Animals in art -- Birds; Animals in art -- Snakes; Animals in art -- Warthogs; Animals in art -- Rams

See more items in: Eliot Elisofon Field collection; Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Nigeria

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Type: Archival materials; Negatives (photographic); Black-and-white negatives; Negatives

Collection Citation: Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Collection Rights: Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Scope and Contents: "Gelede imagery evokes all aspects of Yoruba society. The masks refer to a wide variety of female and male roles and activities either in objects associated with such roles or in genre scenes depicting them. They also depict animals that serve as metaphors for human actions or as illustrations of popular proverbs and songs that accompany the mask's appearance." [Drewal H. J., Pemberton J., Rowland Abiodun, 1989: Yoruba. Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought, Harry N. Abrams Inc.]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Westinghouse Film and traveled to Africa from October 26, 1970 to end of March 1971.

Collection Restrictions: Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.