IDNO

P.171798.GIJ

Description

A close up of the head and upper torso of a clay sculpture in an unfinished Mbari house. The figure represents the tutelary female deity Ala. She has an elaborate headdress, with hair indicated by geometric lines. White painted pins are attached, and the hair coils are accentuated by white painted circles to their side and on top of her head. She is wearing a necklet with bead, and holds a white staff in her right hand. [Description from record P.170738.GIJ, PB 14/11/2024]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeast Nigeria; Owerri West; Ngor; 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).