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Igbo

Personal Altar (Ikenga)

Igbo, Mid-20th century

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Igbo

Personal Altar (Ikenga)

Igbo, Mid-20th century

Physical Qualities Wood, 11 7/16 x 4 1/8 in. (29.1 x 10.5 cm.)
Credit Line Gift of Alan Wurtzburger
Object Number 1954.145.51a
With his hands, a man raises his hoe, wields a weapon, exchanges money and builds a house. Among Igbo men, this power of the hand to enable success has been recognized and honored with sculptural shrines, ikenga. This streamlined ikenga incorporates two principle forms: horns at the top, and a stool for the base. Each is a metaphor for two highly valued masculine qualities: strength and status. Horns conjure the aggressive, "go-getter" quality of animals like the ram, while stools are used exclusively by men who have achieved a high rank. With these two icons, this shrine embodies both gratitude for what has been accomplished and a prayer for ongoing success.

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