Before the rise of British colonial rule, the Igbo people were policed by masked spirits that were granted power by local elders. One masquerade that is still performed is the okorishi, which is performed during an annual masking season that lasts several weeks. The masquerade is comprised of light masks that represent female spirits and dark masks, such as this one, that represent male spirits. The light masks are elegant and represent purity and safety whereas the features of the male masks are more distorted and are symbolic of chaos and darkness.

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