IDNO

P.61280.GIJ

Description

An Alusi or Arunsi shrine constructed from grass or vegetation as a humanised figure with arms extended and wearing a raffia skirt. The shrine is used to protect crops and is positioned next to a dirt road with vegetation in the background.

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Cross River area; Orlu

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]

Named Person

Photographer

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Collector / Expedition

Date

circa 1930 - 1939

Collection Name

Jones Collection

Source

Jones, Gwilliam Iwan (known as G.I.)

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.61280.GIJ to P.61354.GIJ were kept in box 1, now numbered C295/.

Publication: Same image published on John McCall’s G.I. Jones website with the following information: [Source: www.siu.edu/~anthro/mccall/jones/, AF ]
1. Index to Igbo music, shrines, architecture and other cultural artifacts
2. Alusi or Arunsi (shrines)
3. Juju to protect crops Orlu (5th image). [Source: www.siu.edu/~anthro/mccall/jones/, AF 1/10/2007]

Context: This shrine is described as ‘juju’. According to Jones, the Nigerian English word for supernatural power and for objects possessing this power is ‘Juju’. In this context ‘juju’ is the Nigerian English word for traditional African magical and religious and magical beliefs and practices. (Jones 1984: 46)

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 1/10/2007]