Eket Ibibio marionette

The Ibibio people live in South-eastern Nigeria between the delta and the Cross River. The southern part of the area is inhabited by the Eket Ibibio. The ekon society plays and important social role in the Ibibio’s daily life. Once every seven years, the ekon organises an expansive music and theatre festival. Wooden puppets are hereby used as marionettes. The loose arms are connected to the body using a nail thereby enabling movement. As is the case with other sculptures made by the Ibibio, they are characterised by rounded shapes and a long row of bared teeth.