water masquerade staff

The Water Masquerade staff and its significance to the people of Urhobos

Introduction:

The Water Masquerade Staff is a sacred staff of the Urhobos, a tribe in the northwestern Niger Delta of Nigeria. The Urhobos are mainly fishermen who strongly believe in water spirits (Edjo).

Description:

 The Water Masquerade Staff is a three- to five-foot-long wooden staff in which a regal woman sits on a stool hoisting a vessel. The woman is carved out of a piece of wood, whereas the shaft is made from another piece of wood. Her sharp teeth and barbed jaws convey her origin – the river. She symbolizes the water spirit and her desire to care for her people. A white pigmentation on the staff is prominent on the regal woman.

 

Significance of the Water Masquerade Staff

  • It is a representation of the water spirits.

     The Urhobos perform rituals and festivals to worship the gods and celebrate their gifts. The water masquerade staff- a common sight at the Urhobo Rituals assures the Urhobos of the presence of the water spirits. It makes them believe that the water spirits are in their midst and will surely heed to their requests.

  • It is a representation of the feminine figure.

     In Urhobo art, feminine figures are often used to depict water spirits. It portrays the tenderness of the Urhobo women for their children. The love the water spirits have for the Urhobos is likened to the love a woman has for her child.

  • It portrays the spiritual power of the spirits

     Aggression is a factor portrayed on the faces of Urhobo art. The sharp teeth and barbed jaws are examples of the aggressive features of the regal woman sitting on the water masquerade staff. These features may be frightening to people but they are appealing to the gods and invoke a strong sense of spiritual power.

CONCLUSION

If you travel through the Northwestern Niger Delta, look at the Urhobo beautiful artwork collection. You might find a gem!

 

Gafar Tinuoye

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