IDNO

P.171785.GIJ

Description

A seated clay sculpture in an unfinished Mbari house. The figure represents the tutelary female deity Ala. She has an elaborate mud headdress and coiled rod anklets, and carries a white staff in her right hand. A child is sitting on each of her thighs. They are wearing helmets with neckbands. The child on her right thigh is facing the camera and holds a short rod in his left hand. The child on her left is in profile. [Description from record P.171073.GIJ, PB 14/11/2024]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeast Nigeria; Owerri West; Umundoche town

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).