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How large were ijele masks of the Northern Igbo?
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African art
Raffia-fiber cloth, made by the Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, mid-20th century; in the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
The ijele masks of the Northern Igbo are notably large, standing 12 feet (366 cm) high. These impressive structures are built upon platforms that measure 6 feet (183 cm) in diameter.1
These masks support multiple tiers of figures crafted from colored cloth, which depict various everyday scenes to honor the dead and promote the well-being and continuity of the community.1