IDNO

P.171807.GIJ

Description

A tableau of seated clay sculptures in the side gallery of an Mbari house with a painted buttress behind. The sculpture in the centre is of the spirit Ala. Her headdress has insets of shells. She has uli marks on her neck, body, upper arms and thighs. She is holding her left arm up and her right arm forwards. On each side if a female attendant. The attendant to her left has a cap, and uli marks on her neck, torso and upper arms. The attendant to her right has a cap and a plain tunic and is holding a root vegetable to her mouth. On the ground in front of Ala are two bowls containing grain. In the background are various other sculptures. [Description from record P.170785.GIJ, PB 14/11/2024]

Place

W Africa; Nigeria; Southeast Nigeria; Imo state; Owerri; Ulakwo 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).