IDNO

P.71422.GIJ

Description

A diviner’s Agu Nsi, a carved wooden figure. The figure is human and consists of a helmet shaped head with incised striations along a raised forehead, almond shaped eyes, small nose and mouth, the body is squat protruding umbilicus, with carved arms along the sides, and squat bent legs. On the back is attached a carving shaped like a swan or the number two.

Place

W Africa; Nigeria

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.71400.GIJ to P.71498.GIJ were kept in box 5, now numbered C302/.
P.71422 was found wrapped in paper, now numbered C302/5/.

Publication: Same image published in Jones (1989), Plate 32, p. 39. The inscription reads “ Diviner’s Agu Nsi, Nri-Akwa Ibo, representing a familiar spirit who aids him in his work.”

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. Agwu Nsi Figures
3. Agwu Nsi figure (Dibia) Nri-Awka Igbo (3rd image).

Context: Jones writes about these sculptures, “ Quite as importantly, particularly in the Lower Niger area, were the figures representing personal deities decorating the meeting houses of wealthy Northern Ibo men, who vied each other in such displays. The best known of these cults was the Ikenga. Northern and Southern Ibo diviners carried with them as part of their paraphernalia their Agu Nsi, small carvings of humans, animals, Ikenga and other ritual objects which were believed to help them in their divination.” (Jones, 1989, p.38)

Context: As the Owerri creation story indicates, the deity Agwushi is a a critical force in Igbo life, standing between mankind and the various gods and ancestors. The priest/doctor/diviner, dibia, consults Agwushi to interpret the needs and dissatifactions of other deities. Diviners are wise, educated men who can elicit the meanings of things and see the past, present and future with clarity. They prescribe ritual procedures and sacrifices and prepare substances - magical medicines, ogwu - which correct mistakes, cure diseases, and otherwise bring the world of the client back into proper balance. Some of these medicinal preparations are rubbed on a patient or swallowed, but others are considered just for their existence. Agwushi creates order by arbitrating between mankind and the gods, giving something to each (Cole and Aniakor, 1984, pp. 16-17.)

Bibliographical Reference: Jones, G.I. Ibo Art. 1989 (Shire);
Cole, H. & C. Aniakor, 1984. Igbo Arts: Community and Cosmos (Museum of Cultural History, University of California)

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 12/11/2007]