Existing comment:
Creator.
In the human realm, it started with him.
This figure probably represented an Igbo community's founding ancestor and was one of a large number of monumental figures kept in the men's meetinghouse to guard private areas from intrusion. It likely was part of a group that included the founding ancestor's wife and other members of the village, such as warriors and hunters. Besides its monumental size, its most striking feature is the broad, bold use of color that reinforces the strength of the carving. Typically, such figures are sculpted by Igbo men and painted by women. This figure could be said to embody and honor the generative, creative capacity of a revered predecessor. |