Igbo Magnificently Large Ikenga Warrior Figure, Nigeria #301
Measurements Size: 48'' x 14'' x 11'' (122 x 36 x 28 cm). Height on stand: 44" (112 cm)
Figure is sold on the base, as seen in the photos.
Provenance: Ex-collection Sidney and Gae Berman, New York, acquired before 1974.
A male Igbo ‘Mythical Warrior’, figure called ‘Edjo’, seated on an eroded base, sitting upright and rigidly on a two legged stool, wedge-shaped feet, wearing large anklets, the sturdy legs leading to prominent buttocks, accentuated genitals, with a large sword in one hand and the severed head of a vanquished enemy in the other hand. The figure is carved from single piece of very hard, heavy wood, covered with traces of a reddish-brown, black and white pigment layer. The figure exhibits signs of age and ritual use. The base is quite eroded yet completely stable.
The Igbo honor the Forces of Nature in the form of Spirits, as well as...a figurative statue, and ritually venerated in his own shrine where he is given offerings."
Living in the middle of the African forest, the Igbo always believed that the Spirits of the Forest, the Edjo, influenced their daily lives. Warrior sculptures representing the Edjo are a tribute to the Spirits of the Forest, as well as to the Ancestors. They can be considered either evil or beneficial, and each Community has the duty of controlling them. The Edjo are subject to an almost daily Cult, and each Edjo has a dedicated Priest or Priestess.
Ikenga is a personal God of human endeavor, achievement, success, and victory.
Ikenga is grounded in. the belief that the power for a man to accomplish things is in his right hand.
Ikenga also governs over industry, farming, and blacksmithing, and is celebrated every year with an annual Ikenga Festival.
Ikenga are mostly maintained, kept or owned by men and occasionally by women of high reputation and integrity in the Society. It comprises someone's Chi (personal God), his Ndichie (Ancestors), aka Ikenga (right hand), ike (power) as well as Spiritual activation through prayer and sacrifice.
The frontal temporal scarifications are classic in the Culture and Art of the Igbo.
Estimated age: Between 1930 - 1950.
Origin is Nigeria.

Igbo Magnificently Large Ikenga Warrior Figure, Nigeria #301 PROVENANCE