IDNO

P.171736.GIJ

Description

Clay sculptures standing on the side wall of an Mbari house. In the background a soldier in uniform standing at ease with rifle in right hand, its butt on the wall. In the foreground a Mammywater figure standing, with several hair bunches sticking out from her head, elongated neck, and painted uli marks on torso and upper arms. Her elbows are jutting out, with her hands meeting on her abdomen. A female figure is sitting in front of facing Mammywater, with back to camera, wearing a dark cap, and tunic. [Description from record P.171025.GIJ, PB 14/11/2024]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeast Nigeria; Owerri West; Nekede town; Ihiagwa village

Cultural Affliation

Igbo [historically Ibo]; Oratta Ibo

Named Person

Photographer

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

Collector / Expedition

Date

1936

Collection Name

Jones Collection

Source

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.171730.GIJ - P.171808.GIJ were located together in an 'University of Camridge' envelope, now numbered C841/.

Bibliographical Reference: G.I. Jones describes Mbari sculptures on pp. 82-92 and Mbari house architecture on p. 104 in Jones, G.I., 1984. The Art of Eastern Nigeria, (Cambridge: CUP).

Bibliographical Reference: H.M. Cole describes Mbari houses and sculptures in Cole H.M., 1982. Mbari: Art and Life among the Owerri Igbo, (Bloomington: Indiana University Press).