What is ikenga figure?
Ikenga (Igbo literal meaning “strength of movement”) is a horned Alusi found among the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria. It is one of the most powerful symbols of the Igbo people and the most common cultural artifact.
What is ikenga in Igboland?
Ikenga is a male altar or shrine dedicated to a person’s right arm and hand, which are considered instrumental to his personal power and accomplishment. Married men throughout most of Igboland establish ikenga, normally ordered from a professional carver and consecrated with the blood of a fowl.
Why an Igbo man would want an ikenga sculpture?
Igboexpand_more Used as a personal altar, an ikenga is a source of power, aggression, and achievement for the man who owns it. In Igbo society individual success and upward mobility are highly desirable.
What is Oji ikenga?
Kola with three cotyledons is called ọjị ike, ọjị ikenga, that is, kola of the valiant. Only warriors or brave men and consecrated or ordained persons are permitted to eat this kola, as a matter of principle. Kola with four cotyledons is called “ọjị udo na ngọzi”, that is, “kola of peace and blessing”.
Who made the ikenga shrine figure?
Shrine Figure (Ikenga) 19th–20th century Cole, Herbert, and Chike C. Aniakor.
What is Oji in Igbo?
I – means Igbo Hence, oji means “Omenala jikotara Igbo’ – custom that unites the Igbo. The two types of kolanut -cola acuminate and cola-natida (oji Igbo- native kola and Oji. Awusa- gworo as Housa kola) are both regarded as having the same symbolism in.
When were ikenga made?
Shrine Figure (Ikenga) 19th–20th century.
What is the meaning of Tsoede?
Tsoede, also known as Tsudi, Tsade or Edegi or Ichado in Igala language, (b. 1496 – c. 1591) is a legendary African leader. He was the first person to unite the Nupe people, and is considered the first Etsu Nupe, ruler of the Nupe Kingdom, between the Niger and Kaduna rivers in what is now central Nigeria.
How is the ikenga shrine figure Worshipped?
Placed in personal shrines, ikenga figures are worshiped and honoured with offerings and sacrifices before any Igbo male completes a goal. Through these sacrifices, it is hoped that the spirit of the owner’s right hand will enable him be successful in his endeavours.
Can a woman break Kolanut?
As a general rule, a woman should never break kola when a male was present, be it only a little boy. The man should break and bless it. A man should not eat kola split by a woman. A woman should not pick up a fallen kola-nut pod, but must ask a male to pick it up for her.
When was the ikenga shrine figure made?
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Why is Ikenga important to the Igbo culture?
Always kept in the home of the owner, in some kind of sanctuary within the home Ikenga reflects the importance of earned status in Igbo culture, honors power and skill of a man’s right hand because of success in action. Earns them recognition as warriors
What is Ikenga (shrine figure)?
Ikenga (shrine figure) Celebrates the Igbos belief in the importance of individual achievement While ikenga do resemble the people for whom they were carved, they are meant to symbolize the significance of that person in society or any past accomplishments of the person Always kept in the home of the owner, in some kind of sanctuary within the home
When did the Igbo civilization begin and end?
Igbo civilization began in the 19th century and still survives (on a smaller scale) in the present day Live in a remote inland area where they were very isolated and independent from surrounding tribes