Maiden Spirit Helmet Mask

Agbogho mmwo, or "maiden spirit," masks represent the Igbo ideal of female beauty: small, balanced features, elaborate hairstyles, and delicate tattoos. The figure’s white face, marked with decorative scarification, indicates that it resides in the realm of the dead, providing an important connection to the afterlife. Performed by men who don the masks - along with colorful, tight-fitting fiber costumes - the maiden spirits are invoked to entertain the living, honor the deceased, and reinforce traditional values. We’re enthralled with the maiden’s totem-pole hairstyle and otherworldly countenance.