IDNO

P.61298.GIJ

Description

An Okwa Nzu (chalk dish) from S.E. Nigeria. The chalk dish is made of wood and consists of a bowl, a geometric pattern in the middle, and an amorphised handle resembling a spoon-like shape. The head is probably a female figure. There is an iron arched ring attached to the head, possibly used to hang it.

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Cross River area

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Abiriba

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. Ceremonial bowls (okwa)
3. Okwa Nzu (chalk bowls)
4. Okwa Nzu Abiriba Igbo (3rd image).

Context: Chalk dishes and chalk spoons are known as okwa nzu. They are significant items in Igbo households and are prominent in hospitality ceremonies crucial to the success of any social or ritual undertaking. Chalk is regarded as having ritual power. The Igbo have devised special containers for their ceremonial presentation. Chalk is above all, whiteness, purity, beauty, and sanctity. Chalk dishes from the Eastern Region normally have a bowl and an anthropomorphised handle and thus an overall spoon-like shape. Most commonly the representation is a single female head.(Cole and Aniakor, 1984, pp.62-64.
Cole, H. & C. Aniakor, 1984, Igbo Arts: Community and Cosmos (Museum of Cultural History, University of California)

“The Cross River Ibo communities of Northern Bende division carved small bowls with a single hand called okwa nzu (chalk bowl). These were formerly used by influential men to offer chalk (nzu) to visiting strangers who wished to place themselves under their protection while in the village. The visitor took the chalk and drew two lines across the back of his hand or wrist as a sign that he was a protected person and then replace the chalk in the bowl.” (Jones, 1984, p.121)
Jones, G.I., 1984, The Art of Eastern Nigeria (Cambridge University Press).

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 4/10/2007]