Monday 1 February 2010

Nigeria in Costume

Some plates from “Nigeria in Costume” published by the Shell Company of Nigeria to mark Nigerian Independence in 1960 and with a foreword by the then Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Fifty years on this book is a very obscure curiosity and I was pleased to find a copy in one of the few surviving bookshops in Charing Cross Road. The plates are of paintings by John Danford.

scan001 A Yoruba oba (king.)
scan002 Festival dress for the Ekong dance, Ibibio
scan003 A District Head - Kano
scan004 The Akpan Masquerade Womens’ Dress - Efik
scan005 Akenzua II – Oba of Benin
scan006 Agbada Dress - Yoruba
scan007 Yoruba Girl
scan008 Chief Ekperegin Olu Warri Osemme of Warri - Urhobo
scan009 Ilorin Weaver
scan010 An Egba Chief wearing the ceremonial dress of the Ogboni fraternity - Yoruba

1 comment:

  1. What a fascinating, and by todays standards, a fairly unique find.

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