Ikenga Figure- Wood – Igbo – Nigeria

Enormous Igbo Ikenga figure, total lenght 92 cm! Heavy piece, 10 kg!

The 8,000.000 IGBO people – who live primarily from farming – settled in the northern part of the Niger River Delta, in an area of forests and swamps. Village councils composed of the eldest people from each family govern the tribe. Their power is counterbalanced by secret societies. IGBO artists are famous for their IKENGA figures which are kept on personal altars and receive prayers and libations before special occasions. They display a typical pair of backward-curving horns which symbolize the strength, power and courage that IGBO men aspire to.

Powerfull wooden IKENGA statue with beautifull aged patina with white kaolien. Good condition with traces of tribal use.

Provenance: Manfred Schäfer collection, ex- gallery owner from Ulm, Germany.