From Adeseri Linda Oluchi
Epa Mask is a ceremonial mask worn by mainly the Yoruba.
The Ekiti speaking people to be precise in Southern Yoruba honour their leaders, farmers, kings, priests, hunters and mothers of twins with Epa masquerade. It is also used to honour people’s ancestors who have proved themselves a hero in the past. It is carved from a single soft and light wooden trunk of a tree called e’ruku tree.
The mask is very massive with a pot like helmet and a super structure on it. When not in use, Epa Mask is kept in shrines where they are focus of prayers and offerings. Epa Mask has special features that made it to stand out. Epa Mask has elaborate superstructure. It is carved from a single trunk tree.
They are always two faces on the helmet, one shows a face with open eyes which is always watching the living and the other face shows closed sealed eyes contemplating the realm of the divine and the ancestors.
The bearers see through the opening of the month. The superstructures usually have an equestrian figures at its centre. It has small figures representing traders, hunters, local musicians, mothers of twins and so on surrounding the figure at its centre. It shows elaborate hair style, facial masks, adornment signifying the social status and lineage of the person memorialised.
An Epa Mask can weigh up to at least 80 pounds and can be as tall as six feet.
•Adeseri is Assistant Chief Museum Education Officer, National Museum, Onikan, Lagos