Puppet

Object Details

Label Text

The figure's trouserless state contradicts the power imagery of the sword and pith helmet in this Ekon society puppet. It suggests a satiric commentary on leadership and foreign influences. Unlike most African sculptures, Ibibio puppets are carved from seperate pieces of wood so that the arms move. Owned and performed by specially trained members of the male Ekon society, Ibibio puppet plays were staged on the village commons and would even travel to neigboring towns. Various characters were depicted--male and female, young and old, rich and poor, sensible and antisocial--providing a socially approved way of commenting and criticizing the communtiy and its leaders. While providing entertainment, Ekon performances were serious endeavors with techniques of producing the voices and manipulating the puppets that were fiercely kept secrets.

Description

Wood standing male figure with movable arms wearing a pith helmet and holding a seperately carved long knife. Figure is painted white with a dark green sleeveless shirt.

Provenance

Geoffrey Holder, New York, -- to 1979

Exhibition History

African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, 50th Anniversary Room, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., July 16, 2014–August 12, 2019)

The Stranger Among Us, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., March 24-September 7, 1982

Ekon Society Puppets: Sculptures for Social Criticism, Tribal Arts Gallery II, New York, October 13-December 17, 1977, no. 11

Published References

Scheinberg, Alfred. 1977. Ekon Society Puppets: Sculptures for Social Criticism. New York: Tribal Arts Gallery II, no. 11 (cover).

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Data Source

National Museum of African Art

Maker

Ibibio artist

Date

Mid-20th century

Credit Line

Gift of Geoffrey Holder

Medium

Wood, pigment

Dimensions

H x W x D: 71.3 x 28.5 x 25.9 cm (28 1/16 x 11 1/4 x 10 3/16 in.)

Type

Sculpture