Mask for the Ordehlay (Ode-Lay) or Jollay Society

mid-20th century

A kotu (masquerade builder) made this mask for a Freetown cultural society, a kind of mutual aid association. These masquerades emerged from Yorùbá practices transplanted from Nigeria during World War I. Cultural (or masquerade) societies and the neighborhoods they support pride themselves on innovation. Like the city of Freetown itself, masquerade-society masks have evolved to reflect new, international influences. The mask’s face shape and “fancy” aesthetic suggest it was created for entertainment. Its dragons reflect the former popularity of Chinese movies and martial arts in Freetown. The snakes likely allude to the transcultural water spirit Mami Wata. Though her origins probably pre-date European contact, her snake-charmer persona draws heavily from a 1955 Indian lithographic reproduction of German posters of nineteenth century Samoan circus performer Maladamatjaute. Just as the Greek-Egyptian god Serapis’ cult spread widely, Freetown masquerades are now performed on both sides of the Atlantic.